Industry News
A Michigan man has been arrested and charged for racking up nearly $7,000 in bar tabs across several establishments in Aspen, Colorado, over Christmas and Boxing Day. The man left a $6,782 unpaid bar tab at the Sterling Aspen nightclub after both of his credit cards were declined. He also reportedly skipped out on the Alpine Bistro, leaving a smaller tab of $163, and jumped on the Silver Queen Gondola without paying.
On December 26, 2023, Pitkin County Regional Dispatch Center received a disturbance report from 601 Dean Street, which is the address of the Silver Queen Gondola. An intoxicated man, later identified as the Michigan suspect, had allegedly jumped onto the Silver Queen Gondola without paying and caused a scene in the process, according to arrest records. He arrived at the top station shortly after 1:00 p.m. and entered the Aspen Sundeck where he used what was described as a marker to draw on the property. The man was approached by Aspen SkiCo patrollers who escorted him back to the gondola.
At the base station of the Silver Queen gondola the man allegedly entered the Ajax Tavern where he grabbed a bottle of wine from an ice bucket worth $68 and started drinking straight from the bottle. Aspen Police Officers and Pitkin County Deputies then observed the man walk out of the front entrance of the Ajax Tavern and contacted the man. He was leisurely finishing the stolen wine bottle while being interrogated by the deputies and officers. Pitkin County deputies placed the man under arrest for the incident at the Aspen Sundeck and transported him to Pitkin County Jail. It then crystallized that the man had also been wanted for questioning by Aspen police for the unpaid tabs on Christmas Day at the Sterling and the Alpine Bistro.
If you are wondering how he managed to rack up a nearly $7,000 tab, apparently the Michigan man ordered amongst other items a bottle of Ace of Spades Brut Rosé Magnum which sets you back a cool $4,800 at the Sterling Aspen. It could have been worse, as the establishment also offers an Ace of Spades 15l bottle for $150,000.
The suspect is being charged with two petty offenses and one class five felony for theft. He appeared virtually from custody for a hearing of advisement on Wednesday, where 9th Judicial District Judge Elise Myer released him on a $1,500 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with Judge Christopher Seldin.
