A quick Florida getaway ended in arrests for a west suburban couple on Sunday, after Palm Beach police say they slipped into another guest’s room at The Breakers and walked out with tens of thousands of dollars in designer bags and cash. Officers detained 35-year-old Gino Gusich and Stephanie Lichay after other hotel guests confronted them in a hallway. Police say the pair were booked on felony charges and later released on bond.
Police And Court Records
According to court records and police reports, Gusich and Lichay are charged with burglary and grand theft exceeding $20,000. They are accused of taking nearly $40,000 in items, including an Hermès handbag valued at about $32,000 and a Chanel purse, from an occupied room, according to WPBF 25 News. The victims confronted the suspects and managed to recover some of their belongings during that hallway encounter. Police arrested the pair at the hotel, then took them to the Palm Beach County Jail before they were released on bond.
Surveillance Footage And Hallway Showdown
Town of Palm Beach police say hotel surveillance footage shows the duo entering the room just after 1 a.m., with the confrontation unfolding minutes later in a hallway. Investigators say Gusich returned cash before officers arrived, as reported by CBS Chicago. That quick response from both guests and security appears to have limited how much of the alleged haul ultimately disappeared.
Hotel Touts Fast Response
A Breakers spokesperson told reporters a guest’s door had been left ajar and credited the resort’s security staff and coordination with law enforcement for the swift resolution. "The Breakers Palm Beach places the highest priority on the safety and security of our team members and guests," the hotel said in a statement, per WPBF 25 News.
Neighbors And The Social Media Angle
Back in Melrose Park, neighbors said they were stunned by the allegations and described their block as mostly working class and retired. "I just didn't think anybody in this area had money like that," one neighbor told CBS Chicago. The station also noted that Gusich has promoted products online and is described as a social media influencer, a detail neighbors said felt out of step with the everyday feel of their street.
