A pair of Las Vegas showgirls have been arrested after they allegedly fought with tourists using a high heeled boot after a row exploded over £15 tip for a photo
Two ‘fake’ Las Vegas show girls battered a tourist with their high-heels in a row over a £15 tip, it is claimed. Jennifer Ortiz and Magdellena Romero were arrested after what appeared to be a fracas outside Sin City’s iconic Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
The conflict reportedly started after a couple from North Carolina handed over $20 (£15) for photos with three women wearing feathered showgirl costumes.
But Ortiz allegedly continued to follow the tourists, demanding they hand over a larger fee and sparking an alleged scrap that saw one of the tourists suffer an injury to the face.
Ortiz struck the male tourist more than 22 times, including with her white high-heeled boot, leaving the man with with a two inch cut across his forehead, an arrest report stes.
The document, obtained by local media outlet FOX5 Vegas, says Romero also allegedly tackled the female tourist, pulled her hair and repeatedly punched her in the face and head.
The male tourist, who lost his shirt during the melee, then charged towards the women in an apparent attempt to protect his partner before allegedly being attacked again, cops said.
Both tourists were treated at the scene but declined to go to hospital. They later gave statements to police and requested charges.
Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of battery and obtaining money under false pretences, while Romero was arrested on suspicion of battery. A third woman dressed as a showgirl was not charged after police said she had attempted to break up the fight rather than joining in.
Both arrested women disputed the tourists’ version of events, with Ortiz claiming she had been struck first and Romero insisting she had stepped in to defend her friend.
Clark County has now installed prominent informational signs along busy stretches of the Strip to make clear that visitors are under no obligation to tip street performers or character impersonators for pictures.
Signs say “When watching performances or taking a photo, Tipping is NOT Required”, and also tell tourists that “If you feel harassed, look for a nearby police officer, or call 911.”
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft pushed for the campaign after complaints about performers and photographers demanding payment, including incidents around the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
Naft said in a statement: “I think where I get really angry is when this crosses a line between people out there trying to earn a buck voluntarily and then crossing that line to being rude, demanding, unfriendly to anyone, but especially visitors here.”
Ortiz and Romero are scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on December 3.