Florida Pet Owners Arrested at Micron Ave. Hotel for Alleged Fake Check

Two Florida pet owners were arrested Friday after authorities say they tried to pass a fake check for a hotel room.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department deputies were called to the Travelodge hotel near Micron Avenue and Bradshaw Road around 11 a.m. because of complaints of a guest "yelling and causing problems," sheriff's department spokesman Dep. Jason Ramos said.

They found 29-year-old Robert Joseph Ross and 24-year-old Daniel Leon Stephens, who had been at the hotel for about 40 days. While officers tried to mediate the dispute, a hotel employee mentioned that Ross and Stephens had tried to pay for part of their stay with a fake check in the amount of $148.20, Ramos said.

Both were arrested on one felony count of passing a fictitious check and one felony count of fraud. Ross was also charged with a felony count of defrauding a hotel.

Deputies also found a pit bull and a cat in the hotel room. Both animals were taken by Sacramento County Animal Control officers, Ramos said.

Stephens is being held on $5,000 bail, while Ross' bail is set at $10,000. Both are due in court Tuesday.

Editor's note: This story came about because of a reader's email about several patrol cars parked in front of the hotel. If you see something interesting around Rosemont, send an email to cody.kitaura@patch.com.