A Florida man who allegedly assaulted, robbed, and kidnapped his former business partner reportedly threatened “consequences” if their partnership ended.
Alberto Iturrey, 39, is behind bars in Palm Beach County after being charged with six felonies, including armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, and aggravated battery.
His alleged victim, 39-year-old Jeremy Marcus, a childhood friend and former business partner, told police that Iturrey ambushed him in his car outside a Life Time gym in Boca Raton on June 9.
According to a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime, Marcus told police that Iturrey tased him and robbed him after allegedly telling him, “You cannot afford not to pay me.”
The probable cause statement described the feud between Iturrey and Marcus, who told police that the two were “longtime high school friend[s]” who had been doing business together for several years.
The two ran businesses in pawning, firearms, and real estate. Marcus, on the other hand, told police that he wanted to end their partnership because Iturrey was “not being transparent with his side of the real estate business”.
Marcus told police that after a $140,000 business deal in late 2024, he informed Iturrey that the amount was roughly equal to what they owed Marcus’ mother, allowing them to end their business partnership and basically call it even. He described Iturrey as “extremely upset” with the plan.
According to the statement, Iturrey continued to get deeper into debt after the partnership ended, maxing out credit cards and taking out loans he couldn’t pay back.
One day in April, Iturrey arrived at Marcus’ workplace “jittery” and “possibly” high. Iturrey began “screaming” and Marcus forced him to leave.
According to the statement, this incident appeared to be a watershed moment for Iturrey, who allegedly began sending threatening voice messages to the other man via WhatsApp. Iturrey reportedly wrote to Marcus, “You cannot afford not to pay me. “You cannot afford it.”
The voice messages reportedly became more threatening. Iturrey also told Marcus, “Your mom is in the middle of it, so think carefully before you don’t pay me.” “You have until Monday to pay me what we agreed on.”
Iturrey said in another disturbing message, “Whatever happens from there is the consequences of your actions and decisions, because I would not do this to you.”
Marcus went to the Life Time fitness center to work out on June 9th. While walking back to his car after finishing, he told police he felt “what appeared to be two taser prongs going into his back.”
He told police that the taser attack lasted about a minute, and when he looked up, he said he saw Iturrey standing over him. Iturrey then allegedly switched from his taser to a gun.
According to the statement, Iturrey allegedly forced Marcus into the back seat of his truck and told him to put handcuffs on himself. Marcus attempted to ask Iturrey what he was doing and informed police that his ex-business partner “looked like he wanted to kill him.”
While Iturrey allegedly held his friend captive, he forced Marcus to have his mother wire $50,000 to Iturrey, claiming it was “time sensitive” and that he would explain the situation later.
Marcus also attempted to call 911 while handcuffed, but was unable to complete the call after Iturrey confiscated his phone.
However, the bank was closed, so the two men drove around for a while before stopping at Starbucks. They eventually returned to Marcus’ home, where Iturrey allegedly robbed him of a Rolex watch, $30,000 in cash, and a number of firearms.
Iturrey then let Marcus shower and patch up a laceration on his head before returning him to the Life Time gym.
Marcus waited a day before calling police after attempting to view surveillance video from the gym and being denied access.
During their investigation into Marcus’ claims, police were able to view video footage of Iturrey’s alleged taser attack and vehicle.
After gathering additional evidence, including the Starbucks receipt and the aborted 911 call, police obtained a warrant and arrested Iturrey on June 19.
Iturrey was charged with armed kidnapping, armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery, grand theft larceny of less than $5,000 for the firearms, grand theft larceny of more than $20,000 but less than $100,000, and witness tampering. He’s being held without bail. His next court date is set for July 21.
