Las Vegas Hotel Housekeeper Accused of Stealing $1 Million Worth of Jewelry

by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Wed May 24, 2023

Was it done with a forklift, or little by little?

A Las Vegas hotel housekeeper has been accused of stealing $1 million worth of jewelry from a room earlier this month. 

$1 million? This is the kind of stuff that only ever happens in the movies.

The incident happened at the Vdara on the Vegas Strip on May 7. Amanda Melendez now faces charges of grand larceny, residential burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary after stealing watches, bracelets and diamond jewelry.

In a recorded call with her boyfriend in prison, the female housekeeper said she trashed the room and left the door unlocked to set up what looked like a robbery scene. “She told him that her plan was to leave the door open and make it look like ‘something else,’” documents obtained by 8 News Now Investigators said. The call also included Melendez “clocking out and telling her coworkers, ‘see you guys tomorrow.'"

MGM Resorts, which owns the property, did not have any comment, either on the incident nor Melendez's three previous arrests on solicitation and prostitution charges. She was hired by the hotel just eight months ago. There was no mention of whether the stolen property will be returned.

Melendez, who appeared in court on May 16, must appear in court again next month.

Topics From This Article to Explore