A major clean-up of a different kind: a housekeeper in the Las Vegas Palazzo Tower at the Venetian Resort has been accused of stealing more than $110,000 in addition to valuables she found in guest’s bedrooms. She was allegedly sneaking into the guest's rooms using a key fob and looking for valuables like jewelry and cash.

A housekeeper at the prestigious Venetian Resort's Palazzo Tower in Las Vegas has been accused of stealing more than $110,000 in cash, checks, and other valuable items from guest rooms. Maria Menendez Betancourt, assigned to clean rooms at the upscale property, is now facing serious charges, including theft and burglary. The alleged incidents took place in June, with Menendez Betancourt reportedly taking advantage of her access to guest rooms, even when she was off duty.

Alleged thefts and investigation

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that Menendez Betancourt is accused of repeatedly entering guest rooms without authorization, particularly during times when she was not actually scheduled to work. According to hotel security, she entered these rooms using a key fob, which allowed her access to multiple floors and guest rooms within a short time frame.

In a single incident, Menendez Betancourt allegedly stole over $8,000 from a guest room. The theft was promptly reported, and hotel security launched an investigation. Their findings indicated that Menendez Betancourt had entered the room when no one was present, and it was later discovered that she was not assigned to work on that floor on the day of the theft.

Caught on camera

Further investigation revealed that Menendez Betancourt was captured on surveillance cameras entering multiple rooms on various floors within approximately 90 minutes. Notably, she did not have a housekeeping cart with her, suggesting that her intentions were far from cleaning. Instead, she allegedly used her access to the rooms to search for and steal valuable items.

One of the most significant incidents occurred later in June when Menendez Betancourt reportedly stole more than $110,000 in checks, cash, and other items from a room occupied by an anonymous male guest. According to the LVMPD report of her arrest, Menendez Betancourt discovered the items and then hid them in white towels found in the room before leaving with the stolen goods.

Arrest and charges

Menendez Betancourt was apprehended by LVMPD officers on the 18th of June. When she was arrested, she was wearing a bracelet made of gold that had been reported stolen from another guest room. This discovery, along with other evidence, led to her being charged with burglary and theft.

As the investigation continued, additional charges were filed against her on the 12th of July, when more incidents of theft were uncovered. The LVMPD is still determining the exact number of thefts that occurred at the hotel tower and whether more charges will be brought against her.

Legal proceedings and potential consequences

The cases against Menendez Betancourt are pending in the Justice Court of Las Vegas. As of now, she has not entered pleas on the three cases, and it remains unclear if further charges could be filed. If convicted on the charges she currently faces, Menendez Betancourt could be sentenced to prison.

In the meantime, Menendez Betancourt has posted bond and has been ordered to stay away from the Las Vegas Strip as a condition of her bail bond. The court's decision to bar her from the Strip emphasizes the seriousness of the allegations against her and the potential risk she poses to the community.

As a consequence, the incidents have likely raised concerns among guests and management at the Venetian Resort, a property renowned for its luxury and high standards. Security protocols and access controls are likely to be reviewed and tightened to prevent similar incidents in the future.