Security video captured the man stealing the wedding gift box, filled with tens of thousands of dollars from guests, right off the table.
WASHINGTON — A California couple’s wedding ceremony took an unexpected turn when a wedding crasher stole a gift box with tens of thousands of dollars.
The heist was all caught on video.
George and Nadeen Farahat were celebrating their nuptials on Saturday at the Renaissance Event venue in Glendale, California. As the party was winding down, an unknown man approached the couple’s table, swiped the gift box, which was stuffed with cash and checks, and left in a getaway car.
The couple estimated that there was about $80,000 to $100,000 in the stolen gift box, they told CBS Los Angeles.
“We did have a lock for the box. The box was secured,” the bride, Nadeen, said.
For the couple, it was more than just the money.
“Really it’s just an invasion of privacy. People write special notes, thank yous, congratulations and that’s been taken from us as well,” the groom, George, said.
According to the groom, the man “walked around” and was “holding doors open for people.” One of the couple’s close friends said the man was dressed in black and was communicating with someone through an earpiece.
The couple said they don’t think it’s the suspect’s first time stealing from a wedding, as he had chatted with guests and even the bartender for roughly two hours before he ran off with the gift box.
Glendale police are currently investigating the wedding heist as a grand theft, according to CBS Los Angeles.
The wedding had about 300 guests, and the couple had even paid for private security at the event.
“It’s extremely frustrating. We all feel collectively violated by what happened,” Jerry Haddad, one of the couple’s close friends, told CBS Los Angeles.
CBS Los Angeles via CNN Newsource contributed to this report
