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An Italian tourist was allegedly held captive and tortured for more than two weeks inside a New York City apartment, but managed to escape — and now his captor has been arrested, according to multiple reports citing police.
On Friday, May 23, the 28-year-old tourist fled the apartment on the corner of Prince Street and Mulberry Street in Manhattan and ran to a traffic agent for help, police sources told the Daily News.
The victim told police he arrived in the U.S. from Italy on May 6 and went to the rented home of the alleged suspect, John Woeltz, 37, of Kentucky, in the Nolita section of Manhattan, sources told WNBC.
The victim told detectives he and Woeltz, a crypto currency trader had previously done business together, WABC reports.
Their relationship soured after a dispute and the victim went back to Italy, WABC reports.
Woeltz allegedly convinced the victim to return to Manhattan, where he held him against his will, WABC reports.
The victim told police that Woeltz allegedly took the victim's passport and tortured him, WNBC reports.
After the victim escaped, Woeltz was taken into custody and questioned. It is unclear if he has been charged with a crime.
Per WNBC, police allegedly found Polaroid pictures of the victim tied up and being tortured.
Police allegedly recovered a gun and several torture devices, police sources told WNBC and WABC.
Woeltz was reportedly renting residence where the torture took place for $30,000 to $40,000 a month per month, WNBC reports.
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Police are looking for a second suspect, the Daily News reports.
The NYPD did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. It is unclear whether Woeltz has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
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