Orange Woman Held in Robbery Series

PHOENIX —  An Orange, Calif., woman was being held here for investigation of several robberies in which male victims allegedly were knocked out by a drug slipped into their drinks, police said Wednesday.

Rebecca Ann Ortero, 26, who also goes by Rebecca Simms Languis, was arrested at a Scottsdale motel Tuesday on a warrant out of Los Angeles accusing her of robbery, burglary and grand theft, Scottsdale police spokesman Mark Barnett said.

Police said the Los Angeles warrant charged Ortero in an incident similar to several that have been reported in this area recently, in which unsuspecting men were doped and robbed.

Scottsdale police turned Ortero over to Mesa police on Wednesday, and Mesa police booked her into Maricopa County Jail for investigation of burglary and theft, Detective Daryl Kirchher said.

Police believe a ring of women in this area may be operating the scam, which begins with a woman befriending a man in a bar.

Police said a man identified as Michael McClinton, of Carson, Calif., was arrested along with Ortero, but it was unclear what connection to her he may have.

Officials at Scottsdale Justice Court said Wednesday that McClinton had been released on his own recognizance and ordered to appear June 9 to face a hearing on a criminal trespass charge.