Couple arrested over $10K in unpaid hotel bills

A Key Largo couple was arrested Saturday for failing to pay a $10,155.09 hotel tab at the Hampton Inn, 102400 Overseas Highway.

Lee Thomas Roe, 36, and Ashley Bey Roe, 34, were both charged with grand theft of at least $10,000, but less than $20,000.

Upper Keys Deputy Ignacio Molina was first called to the Hampton Inn on Dec. 18 where he met with a manager who explained the Roe couple (husband and wife) stayed at the Inn on five separate occasions since October, which she tallied thusly:

  • From Oct. 20 to Nov. 3, totaling $3,229.88
  • From Nov. 3 to Nov. 10, totaling $1,931.90
  • From Nov. 10 to Nov. 17, totaling $1,921.64
  • From Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, totaling $1,767.36
  • From Dec. 4 to Dec. 11, totaling $1,304.31

The manager told Deputy Molina the couple checked in as per the Hampton Inn rewards program. The manager stated guests who part of the program do not have to initially provide credit card information when they check into the hotel and are only required to show photo ID. Eventually, the manager received information from the credit card company the couple eventually provided. The credit card company stated they would not be paying for the charges made on the card at the Hampton Inn. The credit card company stated the credit card had been reported stolen. The manager subsequently had difficulty reaching the couple, but eventually contacted Ashley Roe via Facebook Messenger. The manager stated Ashely Roe was not attempting to resolve the issue with the credit card, so the manager contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

The manager provided Deputy Molina with copies of the Facebook Messenger conversation with Ashley Roe in which the manager clearly states the credit card had been reported stolen. Ashley Roe later blocked the manager on the social media site. The manager subsequently identified Lee and Ashley Roe in a photo lineup.Warrants were obtained for the couple’s arrest.

On Saturday, Deputy Molina found the couple at a residence near Mile Marker 100. They were detained at that time.

The couple was taken to jail.

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