South Florida man accused of kidnapping ex-business partner for ransom in Boca Raton
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South Florida man accused of kidnapping ex-business partner for ransom in Boca Raton
Alberto Iturrey, 39, is accused of kidnapping his ex-partner at a Boca Raton Life Time Fitness and stealing $30K, guns, and a Rolex. The victim told police that after noticing a lack of transparency in the real estate deal, which closed in January, he and his mother took back $140,000 and cut ties with Iturreys. The business dealings led to an angry fallout, per BRPD’s probable cause affidavit. The suspect is charged with kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, grand theft of firearms over $20,000, and tampering with a battery and with a Tesla Tesla Model S. The kidnapping took place on June 9 in the parking lot of a Life Time fitness in BocaRaton, according to police. The kidnapper and the kidnappee then fled the home with the $30,000 in cash, the Rolex, and the Tesla Tesla, police say. The case is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made.
According to Boca Raton Police Department (BRPD), on June 9, 39-year-old Alberto Iturrey used a taser to subdue his business partner, forcing him into a truck at gunpoint and demanding ransom money.
The business dealings
The next day, the victim gave a sworn statement to police, describing years of financial dealings with Iturrey, a longtime high school friend.
Using the victim’s mother’s funds, officers say the trio launched a pawn shop, a firearms business, and more recently, real estate ventures.
The victim told police that after noticing a lack of transparency in the real estate deal, which closed in January, he and his mother took back $140,000 and cut ties with Iturrey—prompting an angry fallout, per BRPD.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Iturrey spiraled into debt, maxed out credit cards, and began borrowing from family.
In April, the victim said Iturrey showed up at his Fort Lauderdale workplace acting erratically and yelling. After being asked to leave, the victim believed Iturrey began plotting to harm him.
The kidnapping
Around this time, Iturrey sent threatening WhatsApp messages to the victim.
“Whatever happens from there is the consequences of your actions and your decisions because I would not do this to you,” Iturrey said in a transcribed WhatsApp message. “So I you wanna consider it as take it as a threat, pay me what we agreed on, and we can move forward. If you don’t, then whatever happens happens.”
Around 7 a.m. on June 9, officers say Iturrey was walking back to his car at Life Time Fitness when he felt two taser prongs on the back of his neck.
After being tased, he fell to the ground, where he saw Iturrey standing above him. At this point, officers say the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim and forced him into his car, where Iturrey handcuffed him.
The victim told officers that Iturrey appeared very serious with cold eyes like he “wanted to kill him.”
Because the victim’s hands were cuffed in the front, he was able to make a 911 call with his cell phone.
When Iturrey noticed his former business partner moving around, he asked what he was doing and demanded his phone, subsequently missing the dispatcher’s return calls.
He then called his mother and asked her to wire $50,000 for a business transaction, leaving out details of his kidnapping.
When the bank wasn’t open, the victim suggested they drive through a Starbucks in Deerfield Beach, because he knew they had cameras.
During this time, Iturrey reportedly told the victim he had attached a tracker to his car and had been surveilling him and his family, according to police.
See also: .
The burglary
The victim then tried to kill more time, suggesting they wait until his mother leaves and go to her home in Deerfield Beach instead.
Once they arrived at his mother’s home, the victim allegedly led him to the safe, where Iturrey—still armed with a gun in his waistband—took $30,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, two to three rifles, eight handguns, and ammunition.
The kidnapper and the kidnappee then fled the home with Iturrey returning the victim to the Life Time Fitness parking lot around 10 a.m.
He told police he didn’t want to notify authorities right away because he didn’t want to put his life in danger. Instead, officers say he consulted with some friends and returned the following day to ask Life Time Fitness for surveillance footage. When they declined, the victim contacted BRPD.
The takedown
Detectives say they confirmed the victim’s statement with Life Time surveillance footage and Starbucks employee testimony, confirming the vehicle as a pickup truck which belonged to Iturrey’s father.
The tracking device found under the victim’s Tesla, photos of the victim’s cuts and lacerations, and his bloodstained clothing were placed into evidence per police.
Based on the evidence, police found probable cause to book Alberto Iturrey with armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery, grand theft of firearms, grand theft over $20,000, and tampering with a witness.
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South Florida man accused of kidnapping ex-business partner for ransom in Boca Raton
Alberto Iturrey, 39, is accused of kidnapping his ex-partner at a Boca Raton Life Time Fitness and stealing $30K, guns, and a Rolex. The victim told police that after noticing a lack of transparency in the real estate deal, which closed in January, he and his mother took back $140,000 and cut ties with Iturreys. The business dealings led to an angry fallout, per BRPD’s probable cause affidavit. The suspect is charged with kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, grand theft of firearms over $20,000, and tampering with a battery and with a Tesla Tesla Model S. The kidnapping took place on June 9 in the parking lot of a Life Time fitness in BocaRaton, according to police. The kidnapper and the kidnappee then fled the home with the $30,000 in cash, the Rolex, and the Tesla Tesla, police say. The case is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made.
According to Boca Raton Police Department (BRPD), on June 9, 39-year-old Alberto Iturrey used a taser to subdue his business partner, forcing him into a truck at gunpoint and demanding ransom money.
The business dealings
The next day, the victim gave a sworn statement to police, describing years of financial dealings with Iturrey, a longtime high school friend.
Using the victim’s mother’s funds, officers say the trio launched a pawn shop, a firearms business, and more recently, real estate ventures.
The victim told police that after noticing a lack of transparency in the real estate deal, which closed in January, he and his mother took back $140,000 and cut ties with Iturrey—prompting an angry fallout, per BRPD.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Iturrey spiraled into debt, maxed out credit cards, and began borrowing from family.
In April, the victim said Iturrey showed up at his Fort Lauderdale workplace acting erratically and yelling. After being asked to leave, the victim believed Iturrey began plotting to harm him.
The kidnapping
Around this time, Iturrey sent threatening WhatsApp messages to the victim.
“Whatever happens from there is the consequences of your actions and your decisions because I would not do this to you,” Iturrey said in a transcribed WhatsApp message. “So I you wanna consider it as take it as a threat, pay me what we agreed on, and we can move forward. If you don’t, then whatever happens happens.”
Around 7 a.m. on June 9, officers say Iturrey was walking back to his car at Life Time Fitness when he felt two taser prongs on the back of his neck.
After being tased, he fell to the ground, where he saw Iturrey standing above him. At this point, officers say the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim and forced him into his car, where Iturrey handcuffed him.
The victim told officers that Iturrey appeared very serious with cold eyes like he “wanted to kill him.”
Because the victim’s hands were cuffed in the front, he was able to make a 911 call with his cell phone.
When Iturrey noticed his former business partner moving around, he asked what he was doing and demanded his phone, subsequently missing the dispatcher’s return calls.
He then called his mother and asked her to wire $50,000 for a business transaction, leaving out details of his kidnapping.
When the bank wasn’t open, the victim suggested they drive through a Starbucks in Deerfield Beach, because he knew they had cameras.
During this time, Iturrey reportedly told the victim he had attached a tracker to his car and had been surveilling him and his family, according to police.
See also: .
The burglary
The victim then tried to kill more time, suggesting they wait until his mother leaves and go to her home in Deerfield Beach instead.
Once they arrived at his mother’s home, the victim allegedly led him to the safe, where Iturrey—still armed with a gun in his waistband—took $30,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, two to three rifles, eight handguns, and ammunition.
The kidnapper and the kidnappee then fled the home with Iturrey returning the victim to the Life Time Fitness parking lot around 10 a.m.
He told police he didn’t want to notify authorities right away because he didn’t want to put his life in danger. Instead, officers say he consulted with some friends and returned the following day to ask Life Time Fitness for surveillance footage. When they declined, the victim contacted BRPD.
The takedown
Detectives say they confirmed the victim’s statement with Life Time surveillance footage and Starbucks employee testimony, confirming the vehicle as a pickup truck which belonged to Iturrey’s father.
The tracking device found under the victim’s Tesla, photos of the victim’s cuts and lacerations, and his bloodstained clothing were placed into evidence per police.
Based on the evidence, police found probable cause to book Alberto Iturrey with armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery, grand theft of firearms, grand theft over $20,000, and tampering with a witness.
Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. to get the day’s top headlines delivered right to your inbox. for the biggest stories and can’t miss video.