Police arrested a Williamsburg man Tuesday for allegedly stealing more than $200 after breaking into the Days Inn on Richmond Road — the same property slated for summer renovation into new dorms for the College of William and Mary.
Peter Daniel Biles, 41 was charged Tuesday with burglary and grand larceny. He was transported to Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond, according to a statement from Williamsburg Police Maj. Greg Riley.
Police responded to a theft complaint Monday at a hotel located in the 900 block of Richmond Road. Hotel management told police someone broke into the office on March 14 around 11:15 p.m. and stole at least $200, but staff did not notice the missing cash until the next day.
Using surveillance cameras, police were able to identify Biles, who entered the hotel through a window.
An employee at the Days Inn said the property had been closed since March 16 and was sold to William & Mary. She did not confirm whether there was a burglary.
The conversion of the hotel into student housing was contingent upon the property being rezoned by the City of Williamsburg. City Council voted 4-0 to rezone the property March 9.
According to Erin Zagursky, a spokesperson for the college, the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation closed on the property March 16, and the deed was recorded March 17.
The robbery occurred before the property came under new ownership, Zagursky said.
