Tag Archives: Crime

by | September 26, 2012 · 6:17 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Strong Smell" Leads Police To Meth Lab In Florida Motel Room

“…It’s  a huge public safety issue. The chemicals involved are volatile, can be volatile especially when mixed together. People that don’t know what they’re doing, even people who are experienced at cooking, still cause fires, explosions…”

Two men are accused of setting up a meth lab in a Tallahassee motel. It happened at the Super 8 motel on North Monroe Street.  Deputies say a tip led them to room 229 and the strong smell led them to a meth lab inside.

Jack Peppers and Kevin Smith – both of Thomasville – are accused of trafficking in meth, manufacturing meth and having the ingredients to make more. Deputies say one batch of the meth was ready and divided up for use.  Another batch, they say, was being chemically cooked upstairs.

“The dry product, we had about 16 grams which is worth about $1600 on the street which is pretty significant for what they consider a small lab,” said SGT Ed Cook with LCSO’s Vice and Narcotics Unit. “They also had another 500 grams of product that was still cooking.”

Deputies had to ventilate the room for hours before going inside to clean it up.  They say all of the adjoining rooms were vacant so they did not have to evacuate any other motel guests.

For more:  http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Meth-Bust-at-Tallahassee-Motel-171177501.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Strong Smell" Leads Police To Meth Lab In Florida Motel Room

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Health, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | September 9, 2012 · 7:47 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: California Hotels Victimized By Armed Robbery Suspects Who Would "Climb Over Front Counter And Steal Cash Drawer"

“…Surveillance video caught a recent hotel robbery…a suspect, with a handgun, climbs over the counter and steals the cash drawer.  In other cases, the crime turns violent…one hotel worker was punched in the face…”

Five suspects are in custody inNorthern California for crimes that may be tied to a string of robberies in theCentral Valley.  Two suspects are adults, three are juveniles.  Jamaul and Justina Baker, one 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds were arrested Wednesday night after allegedly robbing a hotel and convenience store inPlacerCounty.

Most of the victims up and down the state had similar stories.  A trio of masked robbers march into hotels and demand money.  Sometimes they become violent.  Eight hotels in the Central Valley and over a dozen in the state were hit.  Now the crime spree appears to be over.

In less than a week, robbers hit eight hotels and motels in the Central Valley:  Two in Fresno off the 99, then down the freeway to Selma and Kingsburg.  Over to the I-5, places in Coalinga, Firebaugh, Santa Nella and Patterson are robbed.

For more:  http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Hotel-robbery-suspects-caught/ATAsl2HFE0O57_ClJj62Ag.cspx

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: California Hotels Victimized By Armed Robbery Suspects Who Would "Climb Over Front Counter And Steal Cash Drawer"

Filed under Crime, Injuries, Labor Issues, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | September 3, 2012 · 6:18 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Wisconsin Restaurant Employee Arrested For "Cashing Two Unauthorized Businsess Checks" In His Name

“…the owner of Espana Restaurant and Bar discovered Johnson had cashed two unauthorized checks from the business in his name for $160 and $350…the checks were kept in a locked desk drawer in the basement of the business and were pre-signed to pay vendors…”

A 37-year-old Wauwatosa man is facing charges after he allegedly stole two checks from his employer and then cashed them in his name. Dana James Johnson was charged Thursday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with one count of theft. If convicted, he faces up to nine months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Officers then went to Community Financial, 4525 W. North Ave., where they found security video footage of Johnson coming into the bank and cashing the checks.

For more:  http://wauwatosa.patch.com/articles/tosa-man-charged-with-stealing-checks-from-a-milwaukee-restaurant

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Wisconsin Restaurant Employee Arrested For "Cashing Two Unauthorized Businsess Checks" In His Name

Filed under Crime, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Theft, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 31, 2012 · 6:29 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Pennsylvania Hotels Victimized By "Con Artist" Who Checked In, Charged Meals To Room And Then Left Without Paying

“…the man who passed as a hapless hotel guest was actually a skilled  con artist who claimed he had been robbed of his wallet to persuade  receptionists to let him have a room…he promised to pay the next day, offering a phony bank  statement as proof that he was good for it…”

Larry Raymond grew accustomed to the high life during his short stays in the  city’s finest hotels, where he dined in restaurants, patronized gift shops and  enjoyed a cup of Starbucks coffee now and then. He ran up hundreds of dollars in tabs — police said he spent more than  $1,500 at the Uptown Marriott — and had it all billed to his room.

But Mr. Raymond never settled up. Mr. Raymond’s lavish run came to an end late Wednesday when police arrested  him in Room 216 of the Cambria Suites in Uptown less than an hour after he  checked in. He told a manager his wallet and credit card had been stolen.

Mr. Raymond, 55, who has no permanent address, spent Thursday in the  Allegheny County Jail. Court records show he was unable to post $50,000  bail.

“He’s a nationwide con artist,” said Detective Jack Mook of the city’s Zone 2  police station, who began investigating Mr. Raymond’s suspicious stay in  Pittsburgh last week when the security director of the Omni William Penn  Downtown told him about a guest who claimed his wallet was stolen and skipped  out on a $753 bill.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/police-arrest-man-who-skipped-several-pittsburgh-hotel-bills-651267/#ixzz258KJUWtK

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Pennsylvania Hotels Victimized By "Con Artist" Who Checked In, Charged Meals To Room And Then Left Without Paying

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Theft

Tagged as , , , ,

by | August 16, 2012 · 6:34 am

Hospitality Industry Payment Fraud Risks: Woman Arrested After Using Stolen Credit Card With "Illegitimate Authorization Code" To Scam Florida Hotels

Police believe the alleged Discover employee was actually Betancourt’s accomplice, who gave an illegitimate code to the hotel clerk. According to investigators, codes are sold on the black market to help crooks override the system.

According to authorities, 53-year-old Debra Betancourt used an old, stolen Discover credit card linked to a closed account and a fake Arizona state ID to scam a number of hotels on Miami Beach. Police say at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Betancourt went to the Alexander Hotel on Collins Avenue. She informed a hotel employee that she made an online reservation with the stolen Discover card.

However, Betancourt’s card was declined for a charge of $4,100. Betancourt got on the phone, police said, and called someone who she said worked at Discover. The alleged employee gave the hotel clerk an authorization number, but the hotel would not complete the transaction.

Less than an hour later, at 12:15 a.m., Betancourt headed south and tried the scam again at the Cadet Hotel on James Avenue. This time, Betancourt got lucky: Her card was approved for 10 nights for a grand total of $10,105. Another hour passed, and the 53-year-old headed even further south to the Anglers Hotel on Washington Avenue, where she tried to pull the scam for the third time.

Betancourt once again ran into problems, and called the mystery Discover employee. However, the card was declined and the hotel manager contacted police. According to authorities, Betancourt kicked the manager in the groin and took off, but officers caught up with Betancourt and arrested her.

Read more: http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21008278197692/accused-hotel-scam-artist-arrested/#ixzz23ieeFMyM

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Payment Fraud Risks: Woman Arrested After Using Stolen Credit Card With "Illegitimate Authorization Code" To Scam Florida Hotels

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology, Theft

Tagged as , , , ,

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

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

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 10, 2012 · 6:41 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Wisconsin Hotel Employee Arrested And Charged With 65 Counts Of Credit Card Fraud And Identity Theft

“…(the former employee) used customer credit card numbers to pay tuition and insurance bills. An alert customer notified police and an investigation led to his arrest…”

 A 19-year-old who worked at a hotel in Medford is facing 65 credit card theft charges. He worked at the AmericInn until late last year, and was accused of using the card numbers that hotel guests had put on-file to cover room-expenses. Nicholas Johnson is facing 59 counts of identity theft, and six counts of fraudulently using a credit card for more than $10,000. He’ll be back in court on August 14th.

Police began looking for things in common among several reports of fake credit card charges. They focused on Johnson when several of the card-holders who’d been ripped off had stayed at the same hotel. Johnson hasn’t worked there since late last year.

For more:  http://wsau.com/news/articles/2012/aug/10/hotel-worker-charged-in-credit-card-fraud-scheme/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Wisconsin Hotel Employee Arrested And Charged With 65 Counts Of Credit Card Fraud And Identity Theft

Filed under Crime, Insurance, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Theft

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | August 7, 2012 · 6:37 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Former Pennsylvania Hotel Manager Pleads Guilty To Stealing $52,000 During Two Year Period

He was charged with stealing from the Wingate Inn in Unity Township from April 2007 to August 2009 — which he managed while also serving as mayor — before he left to buy a competing business, the Mountain View Inn.

The former mayor of Latrobe has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges that he stole about $52,000 from hotel restaurant where he worked and will serve two years’ probation after paying back the money.

Forty-two-year-old Thomas Marflak was charged by Westmoreland County detectives in September 2010, a few months after finishing a four-year term as the first Republican mayor in Latrobe since 1965.

Marflak has claimed the money he spent using hotel credit cards was for legitimate expenses, not his own use, but pleaded guilty Friday to avoid trial and possible prison time on felony charges.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Ex-mayor-pleads-guilty-to-theft-from-W-Pa-hotel-3765751.php#ixzz22s3DAuN6

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Former Pennsylvania Hotel Manager Pleads Guilty To Stealing $52,000 During Two Year Period

Filed under Crime, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 5, 2012 · 6:52 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Kentucky Restaurant Employee Arrested For "Falsely Reporting A Crime" And Stealing Over $500

“…police discovered Dyer took the money and made up the story to cover up the theft…Police arrested Dyer and charged her with falsely reporting an incident and theft by unlawful taking over $500 – a felony charge…”

A local restaurant employee who told police she was robbed at gunpoint Thursday night at work has been arrested for theft and falsely reporting a crime. According to a statement released Friday by Frankfort Police, 28-year-old Amanda Dyer, of Frankfort, reported around 11 p.m. Thursday that she was robbed at gunpoint by a black male while working at the Sonic restaurant on Louisville Road.

Dyer told investigators the man pointed a gun at her when she went outside to take an order, said Maj. Fred Deaton. She told police he threatened to kill her and other customers if she didn’t give him money, Deaton said.

Deaton said police interviewed other employees and customers and found “none of them said anything that helped corroborate her story.”

Dyer was lodged in Franklin County Regional Jail but has since been released.

For more:  http://www.state-journal.com/local%20news/2012/08/03/sonic-employee-accuses-black-man-of-theft

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Kentucky Restaurant Employee Arrested For "Falsely Reporting A Crime" And Stealing Over $500

Filed under Crime, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Theft

Tagged as , ,

by | July 29, 2012 · 8:01 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel Evacuated After "Meth Lab" Chemicals And Materials Discovered In Third-Floor Room

“…Hotels and motels are increasingly used by meth-makers because the chemicals used – which can include lighter fuel, lye, lithium, and acetone, among other dangerous substances – seep into fabrics, furniture, and floors, according the Department of Justice website…” 

“You basically destroy someone’s hotel room, and then you leave.”

At least 300 guests were evacuated from the Hampton Inn at 1301 Race St. about 5:30 a.m. as first Philadelphia firefighters, then the Police Department’s homeland security and terrorism unit arrived to handle the volatile chemicals left behind by a would-be meth-maker.

Investigators discovered in a third-floor room the chemicals and materials used in the “one-pot” or “shake-and-bake” method of producing the dangerous, highly addictive stimulant.

The procedure can result in toxic fumes and explosions, leave behind a dangerous trail of chemicals, and render the room uninhabitable.

For more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20120729_Makeshift_meth_lab_forces_evacuation_of_Center_City_hotel.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel Evacuated After "Meth Lab" Chemicals And Materials Discovered In Third-Floor Room

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Health, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , ,