It was Filipoos Saternus’ dream to travel from his native Poland to Silicon Valley to see his favorite wrestling heroes grace the stage of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
But the 21-year-old tourist, who had scraped together $6,000 he earned as a receptionist to travel to California, was robbed by a man he thought was helping him during Sunday’s massive Wrestlemania 31 extravaganza attended by more than 75,000 people and took in $12.6 million.
“When I realized I was robbed,” he said Wednesday night, “I go to the corner and I fall with my tears. Oh my God.”
San Jose Police Officer Albert Morales said that Saternus was befriended by a person at the VTA parking lot, offering to get him a discounted ticket, adding that he could save money on public transit by using his hotel card – something that is obviously not true. He gave the stranger his card to the San Jose Airport Inn, where he was staying. Police believe the suspect switched key cards with Saternus and went to his hotel room, taking a computer and cash.
““I lost my tablet with my personal data,” Saternus said. “ I don’t have souvenirs for my family my girlfriend.”
When told of what happened to Saternus – who loves Wrestlemania so much he created a home ring in his backyard – organizers at WWE said they are aware of the situation and are looking into how they might be able to help the fan who traveled around the world to come to Silicon Valley to fulfill a dream.
