Hotel guest faces criminal charges for alleged rodent scam
A hotel guest is facing criminal charges for defrauding hotels by allegedly releasing rodents in the bedrooms and claiming an infestation.
Police say Ryan Sentelle State, aged 37, checked into hotels, released mice and hamsters and after waiting for them to defecatehe complained to hotel staff in the hope of receiving compensation or a free room.
State tried the trick at least three times at different Utah hotels and was compensated at two of them, say police.
They believe the scam ‘likely occurred at many more hotels’.
State is facing misdemenor charges of theft by deception and criminal mischief – human health or safety.
The rodents also caused damage to the hotel rooms, say police.
By law, hotels must contact pest control services if animals or animal faeces are discovered in rooms.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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