Red Roof Inn robbery adds to rash of hotel robberies in Orlando area

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies are stepping up their patrols following yet another hotel robbery in Orlando’s tourist area.

The Red Roof Inn near International Drive was robbed by three armed men wearing masks, just after 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Officers said the clerk was held at gunpoint and forced to hand over some cash before being pushed into a closet.  They said the men possibly fled in a tan SUV.

No one was injured.

Investigators are looking into whether the robbery might be connected to more than a dozen other similar robberies at hotels and restaurants all around Orlando.

Deputies said the only difference between Thursday's robbery and the others is that three men stormed the Red Roof Inn and it was usually two.

WFTV’s Kenneth Craig spotted deputies circling the popular tourist area.

Tourists told him the rash of violent hold-ups is making them think twice about staying in the area.

“I've got nine grandkids and they go to Disney World all the time.  So, I would have to say next time they're planning a trip I would caution them,” said John Kane of Miami. “I would say if there’s been 14 in the recent past that’s enough to keep people away.”

Others visitors had no idea their hotel was a sitting target.

“I thought it was pretty safe, but that seems not to be the case,” said Gerard Scheer, who is visiting from Connecticut.

Anyone with information about the men or the robberies is asked to contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline is offering a $10,000 reward.

WFTV