Tourists from Vietnam catch accused thief in hotel

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Police say some visitors from Vietnam were able to catch thief inside a hotel.

The tourists were spending their first night in Florida, when they realized a stranger was in their room at the Travelodge in Downtown Orlando.

Anh Nguyen says, "Went through all my stuff. Including my purse, my phones and my friends phones. I screamed and grabbed all my stuff and my friend wake up. And grab her."

Police say Tan Duong was holding the burglar down when they arrived.

"She tried to run away, but luckily the cop was there."

According to officers, 40-year-old Nicole Watkins tried running away from them as they took her to jail. They say she also had drug paraphernalia on her.  She is now charged with escape, burglary, possession of drugs and grand theft. 

The visitors are glad she's behind bars. Anh says, "I got all my things back."

Tan and Anh say they are filmmakers attending the film festival this week. They said they never thought they would experience something like a scene out of movie.

"Really nervous because it's our first time we're here," Tan says.

Police say Watkins is homeless. She is in jail on a $15,000 bond.