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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2 NYPD detectives employed by suspect in crypto torture case under investigation: Sources
Two New York City police detectives were placed on modified duty after the department learned they had a prior connection to a Manhattan townhouse where an Italian businessman was allegedly held and tortured. One off-duty detective drove the alleged victim from the airport to the SoHo townhouse on May 6, sources told ABC News. The 20-year veteran has been assigned to the NYPD's Executive Protection Unit, which handles the mayor's security, since December 2021. He works as part of the advance team, which checks out locations before the mayor arrives. He was working an off-duty security job, employed by one of the two crypto suspects, at the time he drove the victim to the townhouse, the sources said. MORE: What we know about the NYC crypto kidnapping and torture case A second detective was also being paid by one of the suspects, apparently also as off-duty security, the sources said. NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is looking into how long the two were employed by the crypto suspect and whether the employment had been approved internally. NYPD members are not permitted to work for private security without going through a strict series of approvals. Neither detective had knowledge of illegal or inappropriate behavior at the townhouse, and the mayor had no knowledge or connection to the two crypto suspects, according to city officials. "Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing," a statement from City Hall said. Two men -- John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33 -- are accused of torturing the alleged victim over the man's bitcoin password, according to the criminal complaint. MORE: 2nd suspect arrested in SoHo torture case, officials say beatings, drugs and gun used The alleged victim -- a 28-year-old man from Italy -- was allegedly stripped of his electronics and passport, bound by the wrists and subjected to beatings, electric shock and a hits to the head from a gun, according to the complaint. Police said the man escaped from the townhouse on Friday and ran to a traffic enforcement officer for help. Woeltz and Duplessie were subsequently arrested and initially charged with kidnapping, assault and unlawful imprisonment in the case. They have pleaded not guilty, court records show. Woeltz has since been indicted by a grand jury, though the indictment will remain sealed until his arraignment on June 11. Both suspects were denied bail at their initial court appearances. Their attorneys had no comment when contacted by ABC News. 2 NYPD detectives employed by suspect in crypto torture case under investigation: Sources originally appeared on
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 NYPD detectives, including member of Mayor Adams' detail, placed on desk duty for working private security for crypto torture case suspect, sources say
NEW YORK — Two veteran NYPD detectives — including a member of Mayor Eric Adams' security detail — were placed on desk duty Thursday for allegedly working private security without approval for one of the suspects arrested in the crypto torture case, police sources said. One of the cops was identified by sources as Roberto Cordero, a detective first grade with the NYPD since 2005, who was assigned to the Executive Protection Unit, which handles Adams' security. The second was identified by sources and an NYPD personnel order obtained by the Daily News as Raymond Low, a detective second grade with Manhattan North Narcotics who also joined the NYPD in 2005. He was placed on desk duty about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cordero and Low officially were sworn in as cops on the same day, Jan. 10, 2005, records show. Investigators looking into the circumstances of the crypto torture case which has led to the arrests of two investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, learned that Cordero and Low were employed by one of the two men, the sources said. On Friday, an Italian national, 28, escaped from a multimillion-dollar Soho townhouse and went to police. Investigators established he had been held for 17 days and tortured repeatedly, authorities said. Woeltz was arrested last Friday. Duplessie was arrested Wednesday. It was unclear Thursday which of the two suspects the detectives were working for or how much they were being paid. The sources said a retired cop helped get the two detectives the job. Investigators have not determined whether either Cordero or Low had any knowledge or involvement in the kidnapping and torture of the victim, the sources said. Cordero's assignment to the mayor's detail in 2021 predated Adams' tenure as mayor, department records show. In a brief statement, an NYPD spokesperson said, 'Members of the service were modified yesterday. The matter is under internal review.' 'Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing,' said Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams. _____
5 days ago
2 NYPD detectives employed by suspect in crypto torture case under investigation: Sources
Two New York City police detectives were placed on modified duty after the department learned they had a prior connection to a Manhattan townhouse where an Italian businessman was allegedly held and tortured. One off-duty detective drove the alleged victim from the airport to the SoHo townhouse on May 6, sources told ABC News. The 20-year veteran has been assigned to the NYPD's Executive Protection Unit, which handles the mayor's security, since December 2021. He works as part of the advance team, which checks out locations before the mayor arrives. He was working an off-duty security job, employed by one of the two crypto suspects, at the time he drove the victim to the townhouse, the sources said. A second detective was also being paid by one of the suspects, apparently also as off-duty security, the sources said. NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is looking into how long the two were employed by the crypto suspect and whether the employment had been approved internally. NYPD members are not permitted to work for private security without going through a strict series of approvals. Neither detective had knowledge of illegal or inappropriate behavior at the townhouse, and the mayor had no knowledge or connection to the two crypto suspects, according to city officials. "Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing," a statement from City Hall said. Two men -- John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33 -- are accused of torturing the alleged victim over the man's bitcoin password, according to the criminal complaint. The alleged victim -- a 28-year-old man from Italy -- was allegedly stripped of his electronics and passport, bound by the wrists and subjected to beatings, electric shock and a hits to the head from a gun, according to the complaint. Police said the man escaped from the townhouse on Friday and ran to a traffic enforcement officer for help. Woeltz and Duplessie were subsequently arrested and initially charged with kidnapping, assault and unlawful imprisonment in the case. They have pleaded not guilty, court records show. Woeltz has since been indicted by a grand jury, though the indictment will remain sealed until his arraignment on June 11.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 NYPD detectives, including member of Mayor Adams' detail, placed on desk duty for working private security for crypto torture case suspect, sources say
NEW YORK — Two veteran NYPD detectives — including a member of Mayor Eric Adams' security detail — were placed on desk duty Thursday for allegedly working private security without approval for one of the suspects arrested in the crypto torture case, police sources said. One of the cops was identified by sources as Roberto Cordero, a detective first grade with the NYPD since 2005, who was assigned to the Executive Protection Unit, which handles Adams' security. The second was identified by sources and an NYPD personnel order obtained by the Daily News as Raymond Low, a detective second grade with Manhattan North Narcotics who also joined the NYPD in 2005. He was placed on desk duty about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cordero and Low officially were sworn in as cops on the same day, Jan. 10, 2005, records show. Investigators looking into the circumstances of the crypto torture case which has led to the arrests of two investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, learned that Cordero and Low were employed by one of the two men, the sources said. On Friday, an Italian national, 28, escaped from a multimillion-dollar Soho townhouse and went to police. Investigators established he had been held for 17 days and tortured repeatedly, authorities said. Woeltz was arrested last Friday. Duplessie was arrested Wednesday. It was unclear Thursday which of the two suspects the detectives were working for or how much they were being paid. The sources said a retired cop helped get the two detectives the job. Investigators have not determined whether either Cordero or Low had any knowledge or involvement in the kidnapping and torture of the victim, the sources said. Cordero's assignment to the mayor's detail in 2021 predated Adams' tenure as mayor, department records show. In a brief statement, an NYPD spokesperson said, 'Members of the service were modified yesterday. The matter is under internal review.' 'Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing,' said Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams. _____
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 NYPD detectives, including member of Mayor Adams detail, placed on desk duty for working private security for crypto torture case suspect: sources
Two veteran NYPD detectives — including a member of Mayor Adam's security detail — were placed on desk duty Thursday for allegedly working private security without approval for one of the suspects arrested in the crypto torture case, police sources said. One of the cops was identified by sources as Roberto Cordero, a detective first grade with the NYPD since 2005, who was assigned to the Executive Protection Unit, which handles Adams' security. The second was identified by sources and an NYPD personnel order obtained by the Daily News as Raymond Low, a detective second grade with Manhattan North Narcotics who also joined the NYPD in 2005. He was placed on desk duty about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cordero and Low officially were sworn in as cops on the same day, Jan. 10, 2005, records show. Investigators looking into the circumstances of the crypto torture case which has led to the arrests of two investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, learned that Cordero and Low were employed by one of the two men, the sources said. On Friday, an Italian national, 28, escaped from a multimillion dollar Soho townhouse and went to police. Investigators established he had been held for 17 days and tortured repeatedly, authorities said. Woeltz was arrested last Friday. Duplessie was arrested Wednesday. It was unclear Thursday which of the two suspects the detectives were working for or how much they were being paid. The sources said a retired cop helped get the two detectives the job. Investigators have not determined whether either Cordero or Low had any knowledge or involvement in the kidnapping and torture of the victim, the sources said. Cordero's assignment to the mayor's detail in 2021 predated Adams' tenure as mayor, department records show. In a brief statement, an NYPD spokesperson said, 'Members of the service were modified yesterday. The matter is under internal review.' 'Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing,' said Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams.
