Unprecedented: U.S. tourists assault hotel clerk

Santo Domingo.- In the first such case since the country became a major tourism destination, the National Police yesterday announced the arrest of two American tourists charged with assaulting the receptionist of the hotel where they stayed, in the resort town of Cofresí, Puerto Plata.

Puerto Plata Police spokesman Jesus Cordero said the detainees, U.S. nationals Laing Marc Andrew, 23, and Blandon Devis, 22, were guests in the Lifestyle Hotel, where they stole US$1,070, and RD$5,000, and a cell phone.

He said Maria Castillo Vargas accused the two of luring her away from her desk by asking her to make a copy, and when she turned her back, committed the assault.