Police: Man used mice to scam hotels out of free stays
An enterprising scammer is facing criminal charges for defrauding hotels with the help of a gang of rodents.
Police say Ryan Sentelle State, 37, checked into hotels across the state and let mice free in the room.
After waiting for them to defecate, he informed hotel staff complaining of mice feces in the room, in the hope of getting compensation or a free hotel stay.
State tried the trick at least three times at different Utah hotels and was compensated at two of them.
Police only investigated the three hotels and believe the scam ‘likely occurred at many more hotels.’
He used both mice and hamsters in the ruse.
He is facing misdemenor charges of theft by deception and criminal mischief – human health or safety.
His rodent partners in crime also caused damage to hotel rooms, police said.
By law, hotels must contact pest control services if animals or animal feces are discovered in rooms.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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