Tag Archives: Burglary

by | June 17, 2014 · 8:42 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Update: “Atlantic City ‘Fake’ FBI Agent Convicted of Casino-Hotel Robbery”

“…With the assistance of Borgata security, police located and arrested Jonathan P. Zembreski,new jersey casino then 32, of East Northport, N.Y., inside the casino. Zembreski was charged with robbery and impersonating a public servant or law enforcement officer and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in default of $200,000 bail…”

A New York State man has been convicted of impersonating an FBI agent inside an Atlantic City casino-hotel last year in order to gain entry to a hotel room and rob the occupant.

On March 1, 2013 at 3:49 a.m., Atlantic City police responded to the Borgata Hotel and Casino for a report of a strong-arm robbery that had occurred inside the hotel/casino.

For more: http://bit.ly/1kKjsaX

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by | May 30, 2013 · 5:58 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: New York Hotel Rooms Burglarized By Man Who Stole Housekeeping Master Key

“…An investigation found the housekeeping master key had been stolen. Maintenance personnel reported an individual had been seen using a card to enter a room other than his own, and more guests reported thefts and observations of someone entering rooms without authorization…A hotel thefthotel guest on the second floor claimed that when he returned to his room at 7 p.m. he found his suitcases unzipped, marks on a locked briefcase, two watches and other personal items missing, as well as the dresser from the room…”

After allegedly stealing the master key from the Super 8 Hotel on Route 17, a Hillburn, N.Y., man was arrested on charges of burglary, theft, and drug possession, according to Police Chief James Batelli. Frank Hadley, 40, who was a registered guest in a room on the third floor of the hotel from May 14-21, was arrested Monday, May 20, after an investigation by the Mahwah Police Department found he had stolen the master key and broke into hotel rooms.

Another guest, who was also staying on the second floor, reported that he was wakened by a knock at his door followed by the sound of the key card accessing the room. The guest went to grab the door and confronted the perpetuator who “rambled about having problems with satellite reception on the third floor,” Batelli said. The customer didn’t get a good look of the man at his door because of poor lighting, he said.

For more:  http://www.northjersey.com/news/209458021_Alleged_Mahwah_hotel_theif_stole_master_key.html

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by | May 16, 2013 · 5:50 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Thirty Arizona Hotels Burglarized By “Electronic Door Hackers” Using Portable Programming Devices; TV’s, Laptops And Credit Cards Stolen

“…Surveillance video showed the suspects, both white males in their 20s, entering the hotel and then leaving with the victim’s suitcases… some Onity Electronic Lock30 local hotels — probably more — have been targeted by hotel hackers. Investigators believe there are more suspects than those caught on surveillance video…hotel hacking is not just a local problem. Because the technology used to open the electronic locks is so easy to obtain and use, hotel hacking is growing issue nationwide…”

A man and a woman have been burglarizing hotel and motel rooms in the Easy Valley and now Silent Witness is offering a reward for information about them. According to Silent Witness, the pair, dubbed “Hotel Hackers,” used portable programming devices to get into the rooms at various locations in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and possibly Avondale. It’s not clear how many locations the pair has hit, but Silent Witness said the crime spree started on Feb. 25.

The suspects have stolen TVs, bedding, laptop computers and guests’ personal belongings, including credit cards.

Silent Witness released surveillance video (above) and photos of the pair, both of which were taken at a Walmart store where the suspects used a stolen credit card.

For more: http://www.azfamily.com/news/Hotel-Hackers-behind-burglaries-at-hotels-motels-in-East-Valley-207552391.html

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by | April 26, 2013 · 6:13 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Las Vegas Hotel Guest Rooms Burglarized By Thieves “Walking Down Hallways And Door Pushing”; Victims Held In Bathroom While Personal Items Stolen

“…Thieves can walk down a hallway and just by slightly pushing on a door can determine those rooms that are left unsecured… But Hotel Burglariesjust days after the couple’s stuff was stolen from the Luxor, police arrested two men for a similar crime at Excalibur…This time police paperwork indicated the thieves held the victims in the bathroom and stole their stuff. Hueslkamp think it’s tied to his case and said the hotel should be responsible for what’s stolen…”

Some Las Vegas tourists expect to lose thousands gambling inside the casino, but if they’re not careful they could also get ripped off inside their hotel room. Huelskamp, an Ohio tourist, told Action News his story via Skype. He said that he and his fiance were staying at the Luxor and while they were sleeping a thief walked right into their room. It’s crime police call “door pushing” and it can happen at any hotel.

The couple took a photo of the door they thought closed behind them. There is no dead bolt and after a long road-trip to Las Vegas they went to bed thinking they were safe. “We went to bed, we know at 1:26 a.m. because we watched a movie on the iPad that was later stolen,” Huelskamp said. “It was no further than six inches away from my beautiful wife’s head.”
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Police don’t know how often door pushing happens because they get hundreds of reports of burglaries every day. After this happened and even in travels today I am still a little weary about staying in a hotel no matter where we are,” he said.
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The Luxor sent Action News a statement that reads “We are sorry for the Hueslkamp’s unfortunate experience. Our resorts have extensive security and surveillance systems in place but there is no substitute for being alert. Even on vacation, guests should always remain aware of their surroundings and ensure their hotel room doors are securely closed and locked at all times.”
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by | November 12, 2012 · 7:49 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Florida Restaurant Thieves Steal Safe Containing $35,000 In Cash; Break In Through Wall In Business Next Door

“The burglars got into the restaurant by breaking into a neighboring business and entering through a wall. Once inside the restaurant, they took the safe and the surveillance system…”

Thieves broke into a restaurant on Flagler Street overnight, stealing a safe that contained $35,000 in cash.
According to NBC 6, thieves broke into El Caribe Cafe at 7173 W Flagler Street sometime between midnight and 4 a.m. Monday morning.

About four months ago, thieves broke into the same restaurant, entering through the roof.

Police are investigating the crime, and doubt one thief acted alone. Miami police spokesperson Kenia Reyes confirmed evidence was left at the scene, but is not disclosing what it is at this time.

For more:  http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/11/thieves_steal_35000_in_restaur.php

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by | October 20, 2012 · 6:38 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risk Management: Hotels Face Increased Risk Of "Guestroom Burglaries" From Electronic Door Lock Hacking Devices

By Todd Seiders, CLSD

http://www.petrarisksolutions.com/

As many of you may have heard, the computer “hacking” community has made a small device that can open Onity hotel guestroom door locks. It costs approximately $50 in readily available electronic parts, and the device has been concealed in an iPhone case and a Dry Erase marking pen body (yes, the felt tipped dry erase pen used on whiteboards).

The hacking device plugs into the door locks, and opens the door. It shows up on the lock readout as a “portable programmer” use, but no serial number for the portable programmer is noted.

**We are now experiencing actual guestroom burglaries and guest thefts by use of these devices in Texas. Multiple rooms have been hit at several hotels. An arrest was made in Houston on some of these burglaries, so I hope to have additional info on that very soon.

**I am also receiving reports from hotels in Florida that a similar “hacker” has been seen carrying a laptop computer and using a key card (possibly connected to the laptop) to open guestroom door locks. There have been several guestroom burglaries and actual witnesses who saw the suspect with his laptop, using a key card to access locked guestrooms.

Please TRAIN and notify your hotel staff that these burglaries are spreading across the country. Hotel staff should be vigilant while they are on the guest floors and paying attention to guests walking through hallways. Take time to watch guests walking through your hallways to ensure they are going to a room and entering it. Be very suspicious of someone carrying a laptop or small bag wandering the hallways. Greet guests and ask them if they need assistance. If they appear nervous, or cannot tell you what room they are looking for, escort them to the lobby, or escort them to where a security camera is, so you can get a picture of them. If they leave the hotel, follow them and try and write down a vehicle license plate on their vehicle. Your hotel staff has to be more active on your guest floors when they see people walking around.

Onity locks is not accepting liability for the defect in their hotel locks, and have offered a software fix for the problem. Onity is charging hotels to supply the fix.

I’m sorry to say that this burglary issue will only get bigger as the hackers share their tales and their build your own device details in the future.

I’ll keep you posted on this topic…..

Todd Seiders, CLSD
Director of Risk Management

Email: ToddS@PetraRiskSolutions.com
Phone: (800) 466-8951 ext 207

Direct: (562) 623-0976
Fax: (800) 494-6829
Lic #0817715

 

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by | August 11, 2012 · 7:24 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Louisiana Hotels' Guest Rooms Burglarized By Thieves Who "Checked For Unlocked Doors"; Suspects Walked Out With Laptops And Electronics

“…(suspects were) walking in the hotel, walking out with the victim’s property…laptops, electronics, iPods, and iPads…cell phones, bags of clothing, jewelry…in some cases thieves got into rooms by checking for unlocked doors…”

After arresting two suspects in a string of downtown hotel burglaries, New Orleans Police confiscated loads of property. Police say rooms at several hotels in the downtown area were burglarized in early July. It was later determined to be the work of the same set of crooks.

“I noticed my door in my room even if I just walk out it doesn’t close,” one hotel guest said. Carroll says an anonymous tip from the public led detectives to arrest this modern day Bonnie and Clyde.

A search warrant executed at her home turned up loads of evidence.

For more:  http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-property-stolen-from-hotels-returned,0,6918670.story

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by | November 23, 2011 · 6:15 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: 61-Year Old California Hotel Housekeeper Arrested For Theft While Cleaning Guest Rooms

“…while she was cleaning she was seen taking a woman’s watch and hide it in the room… she was seen entering the room again and retrieve the watch, conceal it upon her person, and leave the room. It was then the trap was sprung and she was detained by security, who also took the watch back from her…”

“…officers arrested this 61-year-old cleaner from Los Angeles, and she was charged with burglary. Her bail was set at $50,000…”

On Friday, Nov. 11, at 12:55 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department went to the Fairmont Hotel, located at 101 Wilshire Boulevard, in order to investigate a report of a suspect who was being held at the hotel by their security chief in regard to some allegations of theft. When the officers arrived at the scene they spoke with the Director of Security who told them the detainee was an employee of the hotel.

He said there had been a number of thefts from the hotel rooms reported, and that the person, who was a cleaner at the Fairmont, had become the prime suspect. On the day prior to the officers being called the hotel, security had prepared a room with several items in order to make the room appear occupied by a guest. They had then placed a hidden camera inside the room.

For more:  http://www.smmirror.com/#mode=single&view=33538

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