‘While You Were Sleeping’: Las Vegas Hotel Room Robberies On The Rise

It’s a very scary, disturbing, scenario. You’ve locked and latched the door to your hotel room. However, you wake up sometime during the night to use the restroom and find you’ve been robbed! How did they get in? You took all the safety precautions you could think of. Apparently, this isn’t enough anymore. Law enforcement agencies are seeing more hotel room robberies recently.

There seem to be cameras everywhere we go nowadays. They’re watching every move we make. However, you do not see cameras in Las Vegas hotel room hallways. That might change in the near future. Why? Because hotel room heists are on the rise. That’s according to an investigative article by Darcy Spears on KTNV.com.

Six hotel rooms were hit on the same night back in early June. Police reports from each of the victims at Paris Resort and Casino look very similar. First, the guests are robbed while they are in their room sleeping. Second, the peep holes are vandalized in each of the rooms. Third, the robber only steals money and jewelry. Spears’ post shows victims hit for between $500 - $2400 dollars in cash.

Additionally, there were other similarities in these cases. Most of the rooms hit were suites featuring double-door entries. The burglaries took place between 3am-4:40am. Similarly, the rooms hit that night in early June at Paris were in the same wing, close to the elevators, on the right-hand side of the hallway.

One of the six rooms robbed that night was actually a trap set up by hotel security. Wouldn’t you know it, they nabbed a two-time convicted felon stealing cash inside the hotel room. The “bait” room was equipped with cameras sending the video feed to security in a neighboring room.

The thief was caught with a flat-blade screwdriver which can be used to unlock the deadbolt. He also was in possession of a master key. Police say there are also under-the-door tools thieves can use to open the door from outside the room.

Of course, there are many ways to avoid having your stuff stolen while you’re away from your room. Lock your suitcases. Don’t leave jewelry, money, computers, or other valuables lying around. Use the hotel room safe or bring your stuff with you.

But, what about while you’re in the room sleeping? Given these points, what else can be done to feel safe in your room? On the positive side, SuitcaseStories.com has some in-room security recommendations. They suggest “the Swege Door Stop & Alarm and Portable Door Lock keep the door secure when you’re in the room and the GE SmartHome Portable Security Kit provides security for the door and windows.” They also recommend the Traveller Defense Alarm.

In any event, use precautions during your next hotel stay. Sleep tight!

While it doesn't matter how many stars a hotel is given, here are the first 5 things you should clean in your hotel room. According to an article put out by Lifehacker, they listed things in a hotel room that you should wipe down yourself. The things you should clean right when you walk into the room even before unpacking.

Here in Las Vegas, while we have the most opulent hotels and resorts in the world, you should really think about bringing some wipes! It could be the most exclusive hotel or resort, it still needs the once over just to on the safe side.

Of course, common knowledge will tell us that its the things that we touch the most in a room. For example, one item is the handle on the mini fridge. You know that has to be one of the most "touched" item in a hotel room and just to be safe, wipe it down!

The article also suggest that you run the coffee maker through a cleaning cycle once in the room. At least rinse out the pot good enough to where you feel that much more comfortable about it.

A lot of people think that hotels don't really clean the comforters on a bed very often. Not much guests can do about that. However, we come to find out that one out of ten people will bring in their own sheets to change the bed. No need to take any chances right?

What rituals do you go through when staying at a hotel? Are you that person that goes in, wipes everything down? Mike O'Brian admitted one time that he and his wife actually move furniture around when staying at a hotel. Everyone is like WHAT? Yep, not that unusual.

So think about all the things you do when checking into a hotel. Whether it be here in Las Vegas or else where. To see the Top 5 things you should clean yourself, scroll down and take notes!

Not really sure how many people use them anymore having a cell phone with you at all times. But if you actually use the phone in the room, they say to wipe it down good! With that said, it comes in at #5 on the list!

Something that everyone touches when entering their hotel room...the light switches! That why most we'll tell you to wipe them down when you first enter the room. A good reason this came in at #4 on the list!

This would have to be a natural right? You have to know how many people have touched the door handle in hotel room and for that reason #3 on the list!

Just like the phone and door handles, you know people are going to be all over the night stand next to the bed. Not the whole night stand, but we think you should at least wipe down the top of it when you check in. So much so, that's why it appears at #2!

#1 on the list and everyone probably know it...THE TV REMOTE! Make sure you wipe this down good! Everyone touches the remotes, putting their hands all over it and holding it in their hand half the time. No surprise this is #1 on the list of things you should clean in a hotel room!

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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