World-Renowned Concert Violinist Roams Hotel Halls Naked, Attacks Woman Tourist in Her Room
Stefan Arzberger, the 42-year-old lead violinist for the internationally acclaimed Leipzig String Quartet which plays all over the world, has been accused of going on a naked rampage through a hotel and choking a complete stranger early Friday, March 27. He was soon after arrested by the police and charged with burglary, strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, and assault. He was released on Saturday after bondsman Ira Judelson posted the $100,000 bail, but the German national was made to surrender his passport.
According to the New York Post, staffers at the boutique Hudson Hotel at Columbus Circle were first alerted to the bizarre antics of the musician after guests reported seeing a man roaming around naked early Friday. Around 8:00 am, he allegedly knocked on the door of a 64-year-old lady tourist from North Carolina, who on opening was immediately confronted by a wild-eyed and completely naked Arzberger. In the police report, the victim told investigators: "He stuck his arm out, and she tried to slam the door shut, but he stuck his arm in between the door and the door jamb. He barged inside and grabbed her around the neck with both hands and started strangling her." He reportedly choked the woman so hard that the blood vessels in her eyes were ruptured. Her cries for help were heard by hotel staff who pulled the crazed man off her. Arzberger fled back to his room, where the police arrested him shortly after. Neither Azberger nor his victim know each other. Police said that Arzberger showed no outward signs of mental distress when he was taken in custody.
Arzberger's lawyer Nicholas Kaizer later told the New York Post following his client's provisional release: "He's an upstanding member of society without a criminal record who has devoted his life to the arts. He has no record anywhere, and we hope at the end of the journey, he has no record here."
On the Leipzig String Quartet's Facebook page, his company claims that Arzberer was also a victim. Its statement reads: "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!" On a separate Facebook page, the group said: "After he get drugged in a bar he was desoriented [sic] for 5 hours and got robbed. All credit cards were used with high criminal energy and serious damage. Investigation is in progress." But according to People, an NYPD official says he could not find Arzberger's name on any complaint regarding stolen credit cards.