'Breaking and Entering'

The people who run hotels are entrusted with keeping you safe. But how alert are hotel employees to possible criminal behavior?

Hotels have gone a long way in recent years to improve security of their guests. So could Bill Stanton gain access to a hotel room that wasn’t his?

Bill Stanton: We’ve all heard these nightmare scenarios where people’s rooms have been ransacked or worse, so the idea was… can I get into a hotel room? What can I accomplish?  Without any inside information.

First stop: the Intercontinental, an upscale hotel in Manhattan where we got a room.

We didn’t want Stanton to break into a real guest’s room, so “Dateline” booked a room under a different name and challenged Stanton to get in.

Stafford: A Dateline producer actually checked into that room.

Stanton: That’s right.  We didn’t want to actually break in a room, so we used that room as our target room.

But for this exercise, he’s providing no proof it’s his room, so no one should give him access.

Once inside the hotel, Stanton carries his only prop—a bathrobe.  He’ll make his quick costume change in a stairwell.

Stanton: There are no security cameras, so that’s why I’m getting into my uniform here.

Then Stanton asks a maid to let him into the room. Remember, he provides no proof it’s his.

Stanton: I got locked out, and then my wife went away. Thank you so much.

Within seconds, she let’s Stanton in.

Stanton: Thank you so much.

The maid was simply being polite and thought she was helping.

But Former Secret Service Psychologist Marisa Randazzo says it’s just that kind of kindness that criminals embrace.

Marisa Randazzo, psychologist: They’re in a dilemma they’re trying to weigh back and forth, “Do I maintain security or do I keep the customer happy?”

We should tell you we’re not giving away any secrets here. These crimes do happen and criminals already know these tricks.

Next stop: the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. This time, Stanton has a new test to see how aware hotel staffers are to possible criminal behavior. Stanton says the first thing a criminal would need is a target, someone they want to rip-off. In this case, it’s a Dateline staffer.

Stafford: You’re following our Dateline producer to the desk.

Stanton: And I’m making note of everything.  That she’s alone.  She has an expensive watch. I’m taking note of the bag, which’ll come into play later. And what I need is her last name and room number.

And how will he get her last name and room number? Hotel staffers are supposed to keep that private. So how alert would they be to someone trying to get that information?

Stanton stands near the  check-in desk pretending he’s talking on his cell phone as our producer checks in by herself. Stanton is close enough to make the clerk think the two of them are together and also close enough to hear our producer’s name and room number.

Stanton: I’m giving her enough space to not freak her out, but yet make him think I’m with her.

Stafford: What’s happening?

Stanton: He’s giving her the key, I’m listening to the name, I’m listening to the room number. As he’s saying it, I’m writing it down.

Stafford: So now you know where she’s staying.

Stanton: That’s right.  Now I got my information, I’m walking away.

Stafford: But you don’t have a key.

Stanton: Not yet.

Stanton waits for his target to leave her room. Now he knows the room is empty—

Stanton: Now we’re waiting.  Here she is. Our producer just left. Shopping, sightseeing, whatever.  Now I’m making my move.

Using the information he overheard, he’ll now try to get a key.

Stanton: I need your help. We just checked in about 15 minutes ago... Fox from 3932. My wife just took off, and she gave me the key to the hotel we stayed at last night.

The clerk responds appropriately.

Front desk clerk: Your name’s not listed here. Do you have photo ID with the same address she gave us?

Stanton: No she has everything.

Concierge: You don’t have photo ID with you?

Stanton: No.

Then,  she agrees to let the security people handle the situation.

Front Desk Clerk: I can send up... You have your stuff in the room? I can send up security and they can let you in.

Stanton: Oh beautiful... excellent.

At the hallway, he’s approached by a security guard.

Stafford: So is your game over because security’s on its way?

Stanton: No, this is where the game really just begun. This is where the bag comes into play. 

Stanton (hidden camera footage): Security, you’re a life saver! I am sweltering outside. How are you?

Security:  Okay, good.

Stanton: Doing well, doin’ well.

Security does the right thing and asks for his ID. But remember that bag Stanton noticed our producer was carrying?

Stanton: Oh, all I have is a western bag in here.

Security: okay.

Stanton: Oh there it is.

Security: You just checked in?

Stanton:  Yah, she took everything. So this is my bag.  Thank you so much.

Security: You’re welcome.

Stanton:  Thanks a lot. Have a good day sir.

Security: Nice bag.

Stanton:  Thank you, thank you. I shopped around for it.

Stafford: He asked you for the ID.

Stanton: Right.

Stafford: That was the right thing to do.

Stanton: That’s right.

Stafford: Then what happened?

Stanton: He didn’t stand his ground.

Stafford: What should they have done?

Stanton: All they had to ask was, “What’s her home address?” They could have presented more obstacles to me.  You know, I was counting on their good manners.  I would rather you be rude than ripped off.

So is it that easy to get into a hotel room that isn’t yours? We decided to hit the hotel casinos in Las Vegas, businesses that use the most extensive and sophisticated security systems anywhere in America. Would Stanton’s techniques work here?

First, the $5,000 room MGM Grand. Again, Stanton follows our producer. And again learns what room she’s in. Armed with that information, Stanton returns to the counter.

Stanton (hidden camera footage): My girlfriend and I, we just checked in. I borrowed the paper... she gave me the wrong key. She has everything. My bags up there, but she has everything.         

Front desk: Okay, I’m actually gonna have to call security to meet you up there.

Stanton: Thank you so much.

Front desk: My pleasure. I apologize.

Stanton: Oh no, I’m getting in, that’s what counts.

And once again, security unlocks the room.

Stanton: There should be a black leather bag and a Samsonite bag.

Security: Let me, uh...

Stanton:  Right there, in the corner. Say’s Ducati, in the corner. Sorry about that

Security: That’s alright. Take it easy.

Stanton: Have a good day sir.

Here at the Hooters Hotel and Casino in Vegas, same thing:

Stanton: Thanks a lot.

Security: You’re welcome.

Stafford: Does this say more about what a good con man you can be or how bad security is at some of these hotels?

Stanton: Combination of both. 

At one hotel, the Rio, would Stanton’s luck hold out? He rolled the dice one more time. 

He makes his plea to the clerk:

Stanton: I just made a big  -- I just put my girlfriend in a cab. She left with everything. She gave me the key to go to the room. Wrong key.

Front desk: She didn’t add any names at all to her room.

Stanton: My bags in there. Can you just send me up with security?

Front desk: If your name’s not on here at all we can’t let in the room.

Stanton: Even if my bag’s in there?

Front desk: It’s something...

Stanton: It’s about discretion my friend.

Front desk: Yeah it’s someone else’s room, that’s why.

Stanton: Yeah, you don’t have to give me a key.  I’ll just—I just want to go sleep.  Tired.

And for the first time in this experiment, Stanton finds someone who wont take the bait.

Front desk: Sorry.

Stanton: No, good job. You’re doing your job.

Front desk: Thank you.

Stanton: I appreciate it. Have a good day. Have a good day

Front desk: You too.

Stafford: Were you surprised by what happens at this hotel?

Stanton: Yes. He listened to the voice that everyone else turned away from.

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