Police at a crime scene. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
In a shocking turn of events in Soho, a crypto trader named John Woeltz, aged 37, is set to face multiple charges including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon. The case unfolded when a 28-year-old Italian man, who had been visiting New York, managed to escape from Woeltz’s apartment and sought help from a nearby traffic agent. The victim revealed that he had been held captive and subjected to torture since May 6 at 38 Prince St. in Soho, leading to Woeltz’s arrest.
The victim’s daring escape on May 23 took place near the corner of Mulberry and Prince Streets, where he approached a traffic agent to report his harrowing ordeal. The agent quickly contacted law enforcement, prompting officers from the 5th Precinct to respond to the scene. The victim guided the authorities to the exact location where he had been held captive, Woeltz’s residence. After being rescued, the victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. Woeltz, who was found in a bathrobe and barefoot, was apprehended along with another suspect named Beatrice Folchi, 24, of West 21st Street.
Upon entering Woeltz’s apartment as part of the investigation, authorities discovered Polaroid photographs depicting the victim bound with electrical wire and enduring torture. One of the images even showed the victim at gunpoint, highlighting the severity of the situation. Reports indicated that the victim had faced threats of having his legs amputated with a chainsaw by his captors. Woeltz was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon, while Folchi faced charges of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. The case continues to unfold as more details emerge regarding the motives behind such a heinous crime.
