Las Vegas resort housekeeper accused of $100,000 theft from guest rooms

A Venetian Resort housekeeper in Las Vegas is accused of stealing over $100,000 in cash and valuables from guest rooms. Nevada authorities detained Maria Menendez Betancourt for suspected hotel thefts while working at the Palazzo Tower.

The first incident took place in June when a visitor realized $8,000 was missing from their hotel room. Police reports from a local news station, 8 News Now, show that when the guest was not present, Menendez Betancourt was able to enter the room by bypassing the lock.

Later in the month, the hotel security detained the housekeeper after suspecting she had taken over $110,000 in cash and checks from another guest's room. Surveillance video showed Betancourt entering the hotel on a day she was not scheduled to work, utilizing a key fob to access various rooms across different floors.

According to police documents, "Menendez Betancourt discovered these items and concealed them in white bath towels [she] found in the room." The housekeeper was arrested in June and faced additional charges in July.

Menendez Betancourt faces three theft charges, according to court documents. She has declared indigence, requested a Spanish translator, and awaits legal representation. While the investigation remains active, the Venetian has not commented on the suspected thefts by their former employee.