A staff member tasked with cleaning rooms at the luxurious Palazzo Tower in the Venetian Resort Las Vegas allegedly tidied up in a different manner. She’s charged with stealing over $110K and additional valuable belongings from hotel rooms. 

Housekeeper Maria Menendez Betancourt faces charges of burglary and theft. She has three active cases in local court. 

The recurring thefts occurred in June at the luxury establishment on the Las Vegas Strip. Menendez Betancourt reportedly accessed the rooms during her off hours. 

In one case, over $8K was taken from a guest room, as reported by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Menendez Betancourt was identified as a suspect following an investigation by hotel security guards regarding the theft. It is said that she entered the room when nobody was present. The guards found out she had not been assigned to that floor. 

Utilized Key Fob 

Later in June, Menendez Betancourt reportedly used a key fob to access multiple guest rooms. 

For approximately 90 minutes, Menendez Betancourt was recorded by surveillance cameras "going into several rooms on various floors," as reported by Las Vegas TV station KLAS, referencing an LVMPD report. 

She lacked a housekeeping cart, so she wasn't attending to the rooms. 

She was subsequently arrested for purportedly stealing over $110K in cash and checks, along with additional items from a room occupied by an unidentified male guest. 

“Menendez Betancourt discovered these items and concealed them in white bath towels [she] found in the room,” according to the LVMPD arrest report.

Donning a Stolen Bracelet 

On June 18, LVMPD officers took her into custody. At the moment of her arrest, she had on a gold bracelet that had been reported missing from a guest room. 

While the LVMPD persisted in probing hotel room thefts, Menendez Betancourt was taken into custody on further allegations on July 12. 

The charges against Menendez Betancourt are presently awaiting resolution in Las Vegas Justice Court. It remains uncertain whether additional charges may be brought against her or exactly how many thefts took place at the hotel tower. 

Menendez Betancourt has secured bail and was instructed to avoid the Las Vegas Strip as a stipulation of her release. 

She has not yet entered pleas in the three cases. If found guilty of the charges, she may be sentenced to prison. It is also uncertain whether the other missing items, besides the gold chain, have been found.