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A 28-year-old man escaped from an apartment in New York City after being held captive and tortured for weeks. The victim, who arrived in New York on May 6, was allegedly tortured by John Woeltz, a 37-year-old crypto entrepreneur, and others over access to his cryptocurrency wallet. Police say the victim was tied up, electrocuted, and subjected to various forms of abuse, including being pistol-whipped and threatened with an electric chainsaw. He managed to escape on Friday (May 23) and sought help from a traffic enforcement officer.
Woeltz was arrested at the scene, wearing a bathrobe, and charged with assault, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment. He appeared in court on Saturday (May 24) and was held without bail. A female suspect has also been arrested, while another male suspect remains at large. Police found Polaroid photos of the victim's torture, along with weapons and torture devices, in the apartment.
The victim was treated at a local hospital and released. The investigation is ongoing, with police interviewing witnesses and examining evidence from the luxury apartment, which was rented for up to $75,000 per month. Authorities continue to search for additional suspects involved in the case.