A Florida man, Alberto Iturrey, 39, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated battery, after allegedly kidnapping, tasing, and robbing his former business partner.
The shocking incident occurred on June 9, 2023, when Iturrey ambushed Jeremy Marcus, a childhood friend and former business partner, outside a Life Time gym in Boca Raton.
According to a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime, Marcus, 39, and Iturrey had been running businesses together for several years, involving pawnbroking, firearms, and real estate.
However, Marcus grew suspicious of Iturrey’s lack of transparency in their real estate dealings, and wanted to end their partnership. After a $140,000 business deal, Marcus planned to dissolve the partnership, considering the amount owed to his mother as a way to “call it even.” This decision deeply upset Iturrey.
The Fallout
After their business split, Iturrey’s finances worsened, with him accumulating credit card debt and taking out unmanageable loans. He later showed up at Marcus’ workplace in April, appearing “jittery” and possibly under the influence of drugs, causing Marcus to ask him to leave.
Iturrey then began sending threatening voice messages to Marcus via WhatsApp, warning him that he couldn’t afford to not pay.
In the messages, Iturrey allegedly told Marcus, “You can’t afford it,” and warned of “consequences” if Marcus failed to comply. One message reportedly said, “Whatever happens from there is consequences of your actions and your decisions, because I would not do this to you.”
The threats escalated further, with Iturrey even mentioning Marcus’ mother, saying she was involved in the situation.
The Kidnapping and Robbery
On the morning of June 9, Marcus went to the Life Time gym to work out. As he returned to his car, he felt two taser prongs enter his back and estimated the shock lasted for about a minute. When Marcus looked up, he allegedly saw Iturrey standing over him and immediately switched to a firearm.
Iturrey allegedly forced Marcus into the back seat of his truck, where Marcus was instructed to put handcuffs on himself. Marcus reportedly feared for his life as Iturrey seemed intent on killing him.
The incident didn’t stop there. Iturrey allegedly made Marcus’ mother wire $50,000 to him, claiming it was “time sensitive.” Marcus attempted to call 911 but was unable to complete the call after Iturrey took his phone.
The two then drove around, with a stop at Starbucks, before eventually heading back to Marcus’ home. Iturrey is accused of robbing Marcus of a Rolex watch, $30,000 in cash, and several firearms. Afterward, he allowed Marcus to take a shower and tend to an injury before dropping him off back at the Life Time gym.
Investigation and Arrest
Marcus, after being denied access to the gym’s surveillance footage, called the police the next day. Police later reviewed the video footage, which corroborated Marcus’ account of the taser attack and his location at the gym. Additional evidence, such as the Starbucks receipt and the aborted 911 call, led police to obtain a warrant for Iturrey’s arrest.
Charges and Arrest
Iturrey was arrested on June 19 and faces six felony charges, including armed kidnapping, armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery, and multiple counts of grand theft larceny. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 21.
This disturbing case highlights the dangers of escalating financial disputes and the severe consequences of violence in business relationships.
