Be Careful
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Most photographers and videographers have long been aware that thieves case popular hotels, waiting for any moment to steal their gear. Coordinator Carrie Goff's Blog provides details about and photos of a theft my colleague April from Robles Video suffered this past weekend, as well as a theft photographer Frank Salas suffered two months ago. Vernon Williams also suffered a gear theft this weekend, and Scott A. Nelson suffered a gear theft last weekend. Another photographer just wrote to me to note that he'd had his gear stolen three different times, and still another photographer wrote to say she'd had her gear stolen twice.UPDATE: The link below will show you a CBS news report showing the thieves hitting the Four Seasons and Hilton Hotel in Las Colinas. These are the same individuals who stole April's camera, and are pictured on Carrie Goff's blog (link at the start of this post). Several other photographers have noted that these are the guys who stole their gear. Whether you are a photographer or a bride or groom or relative, please be on the lookout for these individuals, and anyone else suspicious. With the holidays coming soon, thefts are likely to rise.
CBS Video of Thieves in Action
NEW UPDATE: The link below will take you to photos that photographer Doug Brannigan took on September 1st of these same two thieves at the Manhattan Beach Marriott.
Photos of Thieves Taken on September 1
I have had numerous colleagues lose entire bags of photographic or video gear at the best hotels in So Cal. Name a hotel, and I can name a person who's had their gear stolen there -- even in the middle of a ceremony in front of all the guests.
One of the reasons I'm posting about this is because these thieves also target guests. They walk in, dressed as guests or vendors, then steal purses, money-envelope boxes and/or presents (in addition to vendor gear). One of my clients had all of their presents stolen, and several reports surfaced this weekend about money-box thefts. Hotel security is not easily able to monitor every person walking on a property, so it's important that clients and vendors all be as vigilant as possible. The prime targets are the major hotels -- those that have weddings every weekend. Just a warning for everyone -- vendors and clients alike -- to be careful.
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