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JAILHOUSE INTERVIEW: Unbelievable luck gets man into hotel room that was not his

Clifton Robbins.jpg
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Posted at 9:41 PM, Oct 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-16 04:03:57-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — He thought the room was for him, but now Clifton Robbins admits he stole thousands of dollars worth of items after he was handed a hotel key that was not his.

RELATED: Vegas police searching for thief in $4K Strip hotel 'swipe and strike' burglary

From the Clark County Detention Center, Robbins claims he was a Las Vegas Strip promoter and model for more than 5 years and was owed a free hotel room as compensation.

"I apologize for what I did, but like I said, there [were] other stipulations behind it," explained Robbins.

According to Robbins own admission, he had attempted and failed to obtain a hotel room by presenting his identification at various strip properties in the past.

In April, he was successful at the Venetian.

Clifton Robbins.jpg

"I asked if there was a room there and it turned out I did have a hotel room, it was not under my name, it was under a similar name 'Clifford Robinson,' and so they gave me access to the room," said Robbins.

Robbins adds he was likely high on methamphetamine when he received the room key.

"They gave me the room key, I went up to the room, I picked up the laptop, and it said 'Robinson' so I was like wait a second, there's a mistake with that, but I finally grabbed a couple of things and I left," said Robbins.

Arrest documents show it was more than a few items, including an iPad, Macbook, book bag, suitcase and even the victim's shoes.

The incident occurred all while Cliff and Ameenah Robinson were out of their hotel room.

"It scares me to death to think what could've happened," said Ameenah Robinson during an Oct. 7 interview with 13 Investigates.

Robinson still questions how Robbins was able to get past layers of safeguards at the hotel and security in order to access her hotel room and steal her husband's belongings.

RELATED: POLICE: Thief steals $3,500 worth of belongings from Strip hotel, walks out in victim's shoes

"Not only did they give him the key, they gave him a the map, to say 'Well, here's where the treasure's at!'" said Robinson.

During the jailhouse interview Robbins revealed he is a United States Air Force Veteran and served between 2008 and 2012 before he was discharged for misconduct.

Robbins also claims he is diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and has anxiety.

Robbins had been living on the street after several arrests and time served in jail and prison for a previous grand larceny case.

"It was dumb, it was a dumb move on my part, but I was just trying to do exactly what I was told to do," said Robbins.

13 Investigates asked the Venetian to explain what should have happened in this case and what protocols have changed to ensure a similar incident does not happen again, but that request was not returned.

In May, a spokesperson told 13 Investigates the circumstances surrounding the incident were very unusual and unlikely to happen again.

Robbins is due back in court later this week.

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