LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police say a Louisville man posed as a valet at the Seelbach Hotel just before driving away in an SUV belonging to an unsuspecting guest.
According to the police report, it happened on June 29 between just before 4:30 p.m. Police say that's when the victim parked in front of the hotel in a 2005 SUV with out-of-state plates. The victim told police they were greeted by a man posing as a valet. After taking their luggage into the hotel, the man came back outside, took the keys to the vehicle and drove away.
A short time later, hotel staff informed the victim that the person who brought the luggage into the lobby and left with the vehicle was not a hotel employee. After interviewing the victim, police began looking for Randall Gibbs.
The stolen vehicle was recovered a few hours later outside Gibbs' residence at 806 E. Chestnut Street, but Gibbs wasn't arrested until July 17. Police say he confessed to stealing the SUV and to selling the victim's camera for drug money.
Police say Gibbs can be seen in surveillance video placing the victim's luggage in the hotel lobby.
Gibbs is charged with theft by unlawful taking involving an automobile. Police say the SUV was valued at $25,000.
Copyright2012 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.
Randall Gibbs (source: Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
