Con Artist Poses as Hotel Worker, Robs Billionaire
Investigators say it might be the same guy who robbed visiting musicians and athletes
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The well-dressed man with slicked-back hair in the elevator said he needed to check an air conditioner in the hotel room. But when Jose Pepe Fanjul and his wife -- in town for the Academy Awards show -- returned to the room they discovered that wasn't the case.
"We were victims of a robbery at the hotel," Fanjul said. "He took my wife's jewelry that was both valuable and sentimental. We are OK and have reported the incident to the police."
Fanjul, who owns a sugar-growing and refining firm, and his wife, Emilia, were robbed Friday night at the Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny Drive, where they were staying while in town for Oscars celebrations, he told the New York Post. He's considered one of the world's richest men.
Police said the con artist, who posed as a hotel worker this time, might be the same man linked to similar crimes at Staples Center. In the other cases, the man stole items -- about $45,000 worth -- from visiting sports teams and musicians.
In one case, he posed as a credentialed team staff member to access a locker room.
Before Friday night's heist, the man actually spoke with Fanjul in a hotel elevator, The Post reported. The subject was described as a man in his mid-30s with slicked-back black hair and wearing tuxedo-style clothing to look like an employee
On Oct. 20, more than $20,000 in cash and valuables from members of an Israeli basketball team while they played the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The man used some type of credential to enter the locker room at halftime, police said.
The man's distinctive hairstyle also showed up in security images and video from the Wilshire Grand Hotel and the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown during burglaries dating back to August. The subject dressed to blend in and persuaded staffers he was part of entourages to rip off a Mexican soccer team and a salsa band, according to Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon, chief of Central Station detectives.
On Sept. 22, the man's target was Chivas de Guadalajara, 11-time champions of Mexican soccer. Team members were scheduled to play Carson-based Chivas USA in an exhibition at the Rose Bowl the next day and staying at the Marriott Downtown at 333 S. Figueroa St. The man wore a Chivas jersey and hugged members of the team as they left the Marriott on a bus, Vernon said.
Investigators said he then walked to the desk clerk, whom he convinced to hand him room keys. More than $10,000 worth of items were reported stolen from players' rooms.
On Aug. 29, a 30-member salsa band was booked to play the Greek Theater and staying at the Wilshire Grand Hotel. In that case, he convinced a desk clerk at the Wilshire Grand Hotel that he was part of the salsa group.
"He gives the desk clerk a music CD in thanks for the help," said Lt. Paul Vernon. "Over $9,000 was later discovered missing from several rooms."
