Naked German Violinist Arrested for Allegedly Choking Woman at NYC Hotel
A German violinist on tour in the U.S. was arrested after he reportedly got naked at a Manhattan hotel and tried to strangle another guest, a 64-year-old woman, in her room.
Witnesses spotted Stefan Arzberger, the 42-year-old lead violinist for the Leipzig String Quartet, walking around the Hudson Hotel buck naked Friday morning, police told the New York Post.
According to the criminal complaint against Arzberger, he knocked on the victim's door around 8 a.m., barged in, and choked her "so hard that the blood vessels in her eyes were ruptured," the Post reports.
Arzberger, who has no criminal record, was charged with strangulation and burglary. He's since been released on bond.
The Leipzig String quartet has since released a statement claiming the situation was more complicated than it initially appeared:
We have to announce that Stefan became on Sat. 26th victim of a serious crime in New York City. Things are in clearance now. At this time the lawyers do not allow to divulge more information. We feel great solidarity and hope for a sudden end of that nightmare! Stefan, we are with you!
A source told the Post someone may have drugged the violinist's drink, and claimed he has no memory of what he did that morning.