Homeless Man Found Sleeping In Hotel's Presidential Suite

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – One man staying at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh had to trade his presidential suite for a jail cell Tuesday night.

It turns out the homeless man was found sleeping in the hotel. It's unclear who found him.

Jeffrey Lennon Watson, 48, was arrested after police found him asleep on a couch in the luxurious suite.

The Omni William Penn Hotel has been here since 1916. Movie stars, CEOs, presidents, and even rock stars have stayed there.

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According to the hotel's website, the presidential suite has a 1,300-square-foot parlor, three connecting bedrooms, crystal chandeliers and a grand piano, in addition to other features.

After Watson was taken out of the room, two Pittsburgh Police officers escorted him into the back of a police van.

Hotel guests were shocked to see the man being taken out of the building in handcuffs.

"I saw cops running and heard an alarm. Then, I saw a guy get arrested," says hotel guest Kelli Pridgen who witnessed the incident. "They started bringing him out, we crossed the street to try to get out of the way and they loaded him up. He kinda looked back at 'em and they got him in the van."

A statement from The William Penn calls this an "isolated incident" and confirms there was an "unregistered occupant found in the parlor area of the Presidential Suite."

KDKA's Paul Martino Reports:

So, how exactly did Watson get access to the room?

According to hotel staff, the door was programmed to remain unlocked for an event that was held earlier in the day.

Watson was charged with theft of services and criminal trespass. He was told by hotel officials to never return to the hotel again.

He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail where the accommodations where not nearly as nice.

KDKA's Paul Martino Reports:

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