‘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.
Las Vegas Hotel Room Robberies On The Rise
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.
Police Set A Trap To Catch A Thief
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.
How To Prevent Hotel Room Robberies
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!