What I find most distrubing about this story is that the thieves don't sound like guest or employees. It's frightening to think that just about anyone could be wondering the hallways. I've never been asked to show a room key to get access to the hotel elevators. I wonder if a hotel employee tipped the thieves off to the "Oprah" luggage. Boy will they be surprise to find out the bags were imitation! Bamakelly, I am very glad you are safe. I will be much more attentive. Thank you for sharing your story. Keep us posted.

OO--I got goose bumps reading your story. I just hope those people were not on the balcony while I was there. The whole thing creeps me out.

I agree, you couldn't pay me to swing over to another balcony, but I do have to say these balconies were extremely close and well supported. I didn't look really good, but I'd say they were only a couple inches apart in one spot (they separated more towards the edge). I remember thinking how easy it would be to sit on one balcony side, swing legs over to the other, and hop down, kind of like I used to hop on the kitchen counter and talk to my mom when she was cooking. They were so close together it would be easier to get stuck than fall. Still not something I'd personally endorse trying, but as you mentioned, these guys weren't rocket scientists either (or were they? They DID get away with the stuff!!).

One way that thieves can get into hotel rooms is to enter while it's being cleaned-pretending it's their room and asking the cleaning person to please come back later. Don't you think this would be pretty easy to do?

Wow... this is really scary. I'm thinking back to when I was traveling on business in Scottsdale and my balcony faced a little pond with a fountain. The sound of the water was so soothing that I left the balcony door open (screen closed of course to keep out the desert critters) a few inches each night when I went to bed. NEVER will I do that again! I never even gave it a second thought since I was staying at a 5 star resort.

Wow, Suzanne! Though that didn't happen in this case (cleaning crew actually cleaned much earlier in the day), that seems like an easy way to get into a room that isn't yours. Makes me think about my recent trip to Miami. At the Eden Roc, on the first night guests fill out a housekeeping request for what time they'd like the room cleaned each day. They hang these on the door by 10pm. I guess if someone wanted to know what time you'd be out of your room and housekeeping would come, they could just check the card hanger, come back at that time the next day, and follow the plan you just described. SCARY!

Oh bamakelly, I'm glad you didn't come face to face, cause I think there is more to it than just the luggage and burglary. They have a history. Or there is some pattern that they are trying to connect them with. Kudos to the Detective!

Do you know that Connie Francis (one of the biggest selling female vocalists of all time) was raped during one of her early tours by a man who came in through her hotel suite patio doors that she had cracked for some "fresh" air? She had severe mental problems for most of her life over that incident.

When I was in my teens I walked into a burglary and they ran out the basement door, when they heard my footsteps upstairs. So much was taken that my parents never did finish the list- including her engagement diamond wristwatch and lots of WWII uniforms and coins that my Dad had. But it was more than one and neighbors saw them, so we were just happy that they didn't stay and confront me.

I do think the cities especially, are actually safer than they were 25 to 40 years ago. When you are a victim of violent crime, especially when it is a total stranger attack, it is very hard to get over. In Chicago, they do not do much investigation for property crimes. Unless the property shows up in a raid, in some later arrest or lockdown of a location, you just never have a clue where it ends up. With a murder, violent assault, rape etc. they give it 24-48 hours of very strong detective investigation and inquiry, and if that doesn't lead to a solid- it just about always gets put on the back burner for something more recent. Cold cases are resolved infrequently.

Going to school when I was 17 at U.of I. Chicago, I was waiting for a bus and was physically attacked by two boys/men about 16 yrs. old on Halsted, near the school. My clothes were in shreds (I still have a scar on my chest), but one wasn't walking when the other one pulled him away. I was really lucky that they were not grown men, didn't have a knife or gun, and were definitely not pros. They thought I was Cuban- and the fact that I wouldn't answer in Spanish seemed to mystify them. I understood enough to know what they thought and that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had hair to the bottom of my back and it was such a negative (grabbed me by it) that I cut my hair short and never let it grow long again. It never leaves you, how it felt to be "picked". But I do know that I notice people proximity and density much more than other women I know do. And I know what works (sometimes)to get anyone or even two off of you. Being outdoors helped me immensely-I doubt if they could have pushed me into an alcove or alley- I would have gotten away as lucky as I did.

JJ5: Your story is so frightening. I can't imagine how scary that must have been, and I can totally understand why you'd still have trauma (and short hair!) over it years later. I think you are right about the thieves being a part of a bigger scheme; just seems weird that the detective is so interested otherwise. B'ham is not a huge city, but there are bigger things going on than a couple of stolen suitcases. There was a report from the weekend that in another part of the city two men were trying to burglarize another hotel--gunshots were fired from that one and the thieves got away. Maybe the two robberies are connected?

I feel very lucky that I was not in that room one second longer and that I did not actually see the thieves.

I am glad you got to one of those perpetrators good enough to make him regret it!

Hello all, I just read a few hours ago that 10,000 fugitives have just been rounded up by law enforcement throughout the US today. Hundreds of them are violent criminals. See www.sfgate.com. I magine it in on cnn.com also.

Bamakelly, your thread came at a real good time IMO to remind all of us not to get too relaxed just because we are in a beautiful hotel or resort. In fact I would imagine the nicer and more expensive the lodgings is where criminals would expect to get the "cream of the crop" in loot.

I remember insurance companies saying that the best way to avoid problems as much as humanly possible is to "think like a crimanal". Not something we want to do while enjoying our trip but it sure is good advice.

And JJ5, what a horrifying experience you had! I just recently read that women are safer with short hair versus long hair.

Good grief, what a world!

Safe travels to everyone.

What a good warning not to get too comfortable or complacent, but to stay aware.

"I am also amazed at the actual attention they are giving this." - Reminds me of an experience of mine.
After years of living in a large metro area, I bought a mountain getaway. One weekend I discovered my neighbors place had been broken in to. I called my neighbors in midtown and the police. Much to my surprise, the local police and the detective took HOURS on site - taking fingerprints, etc. The break-in had been days prior - in fact I think I they were in my place when I walked in on Thursday. I noticed the window open at my neighbors with chairs pulled to the window (full of snow) on Sunday.

Long story short - they found the guy responsible for the rash of break-ins in the community.

Funny story - the guy had decorated his double-wide's living room as an exact replica of my neighbors living room.

Sad story - All of their antiques and collectibles were returned...with the exception of an antique rug. That was taken by another "victim" of the break-ins. They were allowed to pull their missing items from the mother lode - and helped themselves to an extra rug.

Sad/funny story - the other neighbor on the lane was GREATLY offended when she discovered they broke her door in and went inside...but didn't find anything they wanted to take! :-)

After this break-in and an accident in this small community, I would much rather have an emergency up there than in the "big city". No just calling the PD to file a report for insurance purposes up there! What a nice change.

What an eye-opener this thread is!! First of all I am so sorry for all of you who have been victimized. JJ5, I have heard before that women with long hair are more likely to be targets. This is especially true if it's worn in a pony tail because it's easier to grab hold of. Before reading this thread, I would have never thought twice about leaving open a balcony door if I were above the 3rd floor. But never again. Thanks for these stories, we can all learn from each other.

Mine wasn't in a ponytail, just long and abundant. It's very hard to move, regardless of the muscle, height, or upper body weight thing, when you have such a handy "handle". And thank God for a pink flowered trench coat that I will never forget (giagantic mums on it no less)because it was the only thing left that, although ripped, did cover me up. Gotta love that 1965 trenchie.

In my city or village or suburb, if you get burglarized and there's no violent crime, the investigation lasts about 60 minutes. Once in the city (U.of I- ironically the same area 30 plus years later) they stole the spare tire and holder off my old van while I was picking a kid up from hockey- and the police didn't even want to come to make a report. You need to go TO THEM. Where I live now, they come to you if you need to report anything stolen, which I never have- but where they really spend any time in investigation is violent crime. In Chicago they have had about 600 murders a year (but going down), so you can see that missing luggage is far down the list unless it is connected to a perp on a violent crime. One of the suburban police forces east of me made me so mad about 5 years ago that I quit dispatching /volunteering at the Crisis Center. After a rape they wouldn't come to drive the girl home, partly because it was an ex-boyfriend. She was all bruised and swollen and sat in the parlor there just staring at a wall for about 2-1/2 days without talking until I drove her to her mom's house. There isn't enough empathy to go around when they see so much violent death. I guess they considered her lucky. Right out in the middle of the street too. It's life changing because it leaves a feeling of powerlessness.

But once you get over it, you know who you are. But you don't tend to overlook the details, like these hotel doors and placements inside the doors. Lots of bathrooms are close to the entrance with doors adjoining. I don't like that. I prefer an alcove/hall length so you aren't standing right in front of the bathroom as soon as you walk in. Too good of a spot to wait and surprise you.

Hi again, JJ5.

Actually the way I read it I didn't think your hair was in a pony tail, I just wanted to let other women know that pony tails are attractive to bad guys for this reason.

My God, what you have been through!! I wish I could erase this for you, but for what it's worth, I admire the heck out of the strength and wisdom you have gained. You are very good to use these qualities to help other vicitms.

No, I wouldn't erase it if I could. Woke me up to a lot of things and at just the right age. The 60's and 70's were brutal in some parts of Chicago, especially South side/near SW side. And I get furious just hearing the phrase "white flight". My parents didn't and I lived through numerous consequences. On of my degrees is in Economics/Sociology and numerous books are now being writen about this issue.
Categorizations have made this "think" kind of like blaming the bird and asking it not to fly away while it is being plucked alive by the cat.

Starrsville--your story made me laugh: even though it really isn't funny, it kind of IS!

JJ5--never thought about the bathroom door situation. From now on, I will!

Hi all, JJ5 I never thought about bathroom doors are often close to the exterior hotel room door either. Good grief. Now will be thinking about who is behind the shower curtain!

And sure can see "someone" walking in while the room is being cleaned.

It is strange, this week we have learned to never never leave a window or terrace door open even if one is on a high floor. To check out fire exits etc. after hearing about the Paris hotel fire last night and now about someone hiding in the hotelroom bathroom.

Well I know known of us are going to panic or become worryworts but having all the situations brought to our attention is good. It sure is important to be alert and aware.

Safe travels everyone.

Wellll....the plot thickens. First, I still cannot believe the detective assigned to this case is even still following it. But he is, and we are thankful, though amazed.

Anyway, the parking garage is owned by the city and, though it does have video, the video just rolls and does not record. (Duh...) So no recording of the car/license plates.

However, the detective has been over to the hotel (twice) and investigated things. He feels it's an inside job. Apparently the Sheraton is quite miffed that we filed a police report. They keep asking the detective to hide his gun when in the hotel, etc.

We have learned that the security system at the hotel was being upgraded and they had been working on it that very week. Interesting.

The detective has also pointed out that even if someone did see me, why would they come into the room after I left to steal anything?...I'd just left with all my luggage, remember? Also, if they saw a door open (it wasn't, but let's just pretend here), and walked in looking for something to steal, they'd have had to walk all the way into the room, to the other side to even SEE the luggage there. (Club level suite, very spacious room) Room service or housekeeping, however, may have seen something worth coming back for though...

Meanwhile, the Sheraton's insurance company has called to get statements. Theya re trying to determine if it was our fault or theirs. They have tried to bully us just a tad but we are not backing down.

To add to lessons learned:
File a police report.
Make friends with the detective and call daily for a status report.
Make sure the hotel knows you will press charges if the detective cracks the case (and therefore there will be a newsy little story for the local news...).
Do the above and you just MIGHT get some cooperation!!

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for the update barmakelly. And I wonder how many hours you have lost on this problem. But good for you! If more people would follow through like you have there would be less "shoving it under the table".

I say that after years in the insurance business.

Take care!

Wow, I am so glad that you were able to get a detective who takes his job seriously!
Thanks for keeping us up with what is happening!

Best of luck to a speedy resolution. I just found this thread tonight but read every fascinating word.

Yes, THANKS, bamakelly for the update.

You make an extremely good point about checking back with the detective by phone- not in a nagging or intrusive way, but just as you state.

You've done a great job with this yourself. Not everyone would have given the time and efforts. I hope you keep it from happening to someone else.