Former residents offer advice after robbery at Warren hotel - The Macomb Daily

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Karen Hier-Hanley considers herself to be a seasoned traveler.

But when she and her husband were robbed while sleeping in their hotel room at the Warren Courtyard by Marriott last month, she realized there were a few things she did not know. The incident itself was frightening and its aftermath frustrating.

“There are so many things we’ve learned because of this event and each one left us feeling like we were at fault,” Hier Hanley said. “I wanted to share our story to make sure this doesn’t happen to another person.”

On Aug. 17, Hier-Hanley and her husband traveled from Texas to their hometown, Warren, for a family funeral service. They chose the Warren Courtyard by Marriott because it was centrally located near 12 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue and because they are members of the hotel chain’s loyalty program.

Their first-floor room had a doorwall that opened onto a patio and common courtyard area. The couple went to sleep in their room that evening and woke up at 6:15 the next morning to find the sliding door open and several items, including their phones, watches, jewelry and $1,000 in cash, missing.

“I recalled waking up in the middle of the night and realizing the TV was off,” said Hier-Hanley, who typically sleeps with the television on to help her relax. “I got up and turned the TV back on and I believe that is when whoever left the room.”

Hier-Hanley said the patio door was locked when she went to bed and she believes the thief entered the room via the hallway door and had a key or some other means that was used to access the room. She believes they then exited through the doorwall.

“I just feel so strongly that we were being watched, that we were profiled,” said Hier-Hanley. “I had a beautiful ring I was wearing that my husband gave me when we renewed our vows for our 20th anniversary. It is a standout ring. I feel like somebody saw me with that ring and that was part of it.”

Warren police came to the hotel to take a report on the robbery, but Hier-Hanley was shocked they did not enter the room where the crime occurred.

“They met us at the check-in area,” said Hier-Hanley. “They never checked the locks or went into the room or anything.”

Lt. David Kriss verified a police report was filed and that the case is considered to be open and is under investigation. No arrests have been made.

“The detective in charge of the case reached out to Mrs. Hanley and she was able to send photos of the missing jewelry,” said Kriss. “We have a subscription to a service called LeadsOnline and we are able to search pawn records to see if anything matching that description was pawned.”

So far, none of the items have been recovered.

Hier-Hanley said she contacted the Warren police upon her return to Texas and was chided by one officer for being impatient regarding her case. The detective who ultimately took over her case was apologetic and Heir-Hanley said has been very responsive.

“I just know in these cases time is of the essence,” said Hier-Hanley.

Kriss mentioned the hotel did not have security cameras in the hallway or in the courtyard, which Hier-Hanley also noted and found to be highly unusual. Video from such cameras would have been extremely helpful in helping to identify the perpetrators, Kriss said.

“They only had cameras at the front desk,” said Hier-Hanley. “We’ve heard nothing from the hotel at all. Absolutely no restitution has been offered. I wrote a letter to the CEO of Marriott and we have gotten no resolution here. Nothing. Of course I want my ring back, but I also would like to know what they are going to do to keep the next person safe? Or is it just going to take the next person to be murdered?”

Hier-Hanley said a Marriott employee read the Innkeepers Liability Act for Personal Property of Guests to her and told her that valuables should have been taken to the front desk so they could be placed in the hotel safe.

“As many years as I have traveled I never knew that,” said Hier-Hanley. “I work in the healthcare industry and we give patients written documents with their rights and responsibilities. I think hotels should be giving information about guest rights and responsibilities to them when they check in.”

She was told her case would be turned over to a claims person, but that person has not returned multiple phone calls from the victims.

Marriott did not respond to a request from The Macomb Daily for the hotel chain’s guest policy.

Hier-Hanley advises all travelers to familiarize themselves with their state’s innkeeper laws and to put all valuables in a safe, even if you are sleeping in the room with those valuables. She also says guests should inspect the locks on all doors and windows as soon as they check in and consider purchasing their own door lock and alarm. Be aware of where security cameras are located, she adds.

“Over 80% of hotel crime incidents are never solved and are never publicized by the hotel,” said Hier-Hanley. “I just want to tell people to always be aware of your surroundings and be careful when you’re checking into a hotel. Don’t wear nice jewelry or carry expensive bags; it makes you a target.”

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