Morris man creates havoc at 2 Joliet motels

JOLIET – A Morris man who allegedly failed in two attempts to get free hotel rooms wound up lodging as a guest of Will County on Sunday night.

Sean P. Becker, 27, of the 1700 block of Newton Drive, was arrested on charges of attempted robbery, vandalism, disorderly conduct and making a false fire alarm.

At 8:56 p.m., Becker came into Red Roof Inn, 1750 McDonough St., and asked the desk clerk for a room, but said he didn't have any money with him, according to Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory.

"He asked if he could use the phone to call his aunt. The clerk let him do so, but said she couldn't take a credit card over the phone," Gregory said.

The desk clerk then began to check in a 54-year-old Wilmington woman.

"Becker asked that guest for money. When she reached into her purse to pay for her own room, he knocked everything off the counter, including the computer and credit card machine," Gregory said.

Becker then attempted to grab the woman's purse, but could not get the strap off her wrist and fled, according to Gregory.

Four minutes later, the clerk at the Budget Inn, 1806 McDonough St., called police while officers were en route to the Red Roof Inn.

"Becker had come in and asked for a room but didn't have any money. When he was told they didn't give free rooms he knocked everything off that counter and pulled the fire alarm," Gregory said.

Officers found Becker in the 200 block of South Larkin Avenue a few minutes later and he was identified by victims at both motels, according to Gregory.

Becker was booked into the Will County jail at 10:46 p.m. According to jail records, he was arrested last year on shoplifting and burglary charges.