Las Vegas Showgirls Arrested After $20 Tip Brawl Injures 2 Tourists

Q: How did a simple photo tip on the Vegas Strip escalate into a bloody high-heel attack?

It escalated because what began as a routine tourist photo tip turned into a dispute over how much money was owed, and police say that argument quickly became physical. According to investigators, two North Carolina tourists stopped outside Planet Hollywood on Sept. 30 to take photos with three women dressed as showgirls and paid a $20 tip. Police said Jennifer Ortiz then followed them and demanded far more money, with reports putting the demand between $60 and $180. When the tourists resisted, the confrontation turned into a fight. Police allege Ortiz repeatedly punched one tourist and then removed her white high-heeled boot and struck the victim in the forehead with it, causing a cut nearly 2 inches long. Surveillance video reportedly showed that victim was hit more than 22 times. A second tourist who tried to step in was allegedly tackled by Magdellena Romero, who police say pulled her hair and punched her in the face and head. Video reviewed by investigators also showed a man trying to intervene, yelling for the attackers to stop before striking one woman and pushing another down, underscoring how fast the dispute spread beyond the original argument. The case was widened by a separate complaint alleging Ortiz overcharged another tourist $218 after a $60 photo agreement and gave him a fake phone number. That allegation led to a false-pretenses charge in addition to battery. Ortiz and Romero were arrested, and both tourists asked that charges be filed.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 8

Two Las Vegas Strip performers were arrested after a Sept. 30 fight outside Planet Hollywood left two North Carolina tourists injured during a dispute over photo tips.
Police said the clash began after the visitors paid $20 for pictures, then were chased for an additional $60 to $180; one victim was struck more than 22 times and hit with a high-heeled boot.
Jennifer Ortiz was charged with battery and obtaining money under false pretenses under $1,200, while Magdellena Romero faces a battery charge; both were booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
A separate complaint said Ortiz charged another man $218 after he agreed to pay $60 for photos and then gave a fake phone number when he challenged the transaction.
Ortiz told investigators a tourist hit her first, and Romero said she intervened to help her friend; both are due back in court on Dec. 3, with Ortiz already under a court order after a similar March incident.