A cryptocurrency investor in SoHo, John Woeltz, allegedly kidnapped and tortured a man for over two weeks in an attempt to steal his Bitcoin. The incident, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, took place at Woeltz’s home on Prince Street. The victim, a 28-year-old man, managed to escape and seek help from an NYPD traffic agent, leading to Woeltz’s arrest on Friday.
The victim’s ordeal began on May 6th when he visited Woeltz’s house to meet with him and another unidentified man. Upon arrival, Woeltz and the other man confiscated the victim’s electronics and passport, demanding access to his Bitcoin wallet password. Refusing to comply, the victim was subjected to physical torture within the house. The complaint states that Woeltz and the accomplice beat him with a gun, threatened him with it, and used an electrical wire to shock him. Additionally, they tied his wrists, threatened to kill him by hanging him over the stairs, and even threatened harm to his family if he didn’t provide the password.
Woeltz faces charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon as per court records. He remains in custody pending trial, while authorities continue their search for the unidentified man involved in the torturous acts.
