Italian tourist held hostage in New York

An Italian tourist was kidnapped and tortured in a New York apartment for several weeks before managing to escape and report his attacker, who has since been arrested by police, CE Report quotes ANSA.

This was reported by People, citing the Daily News, which in turn referenced police sources.

The tourist—whose name has not been disclosed—arrived in New York on May 6 and went to the home rented by the alleged suspect, John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency trader with whom he had previously done business but had fallen out, prompting the Italian to return to Italy.

However, Woeltz later convinced him to return to New York, where he allegedly confiscated his passport, held him against his will, and tortured him. According to local media, police found Polaroid photos in the apartment—rented for $30,000–$40,000 a month—showing the tourist tied up and tortured.