Intruder makes off with substantial wedding gifts containing over tens of thousands of dollars from the unsuspecting couple's ceremony.
In an unfortunate turn of events, a California couple's wedding night was marred by a theft at the Renaissance event venue in Glendale. Nadeen and George Farahat, the newlyweds, had their wedding gift box, containing tens of thousands of dollars and heartfelt notes from guests, stolen during their special night.
The incident occurred around midnight on Saturday. The couple, who had hired a private security guard, were among 300 guests at the wedding. The theft was captured on security video, which shows the suspected thief, a man dressed in black with an earpiece, chatting with guests and the bartender for about two hours before making his move.
The man, who was not recognized by the couple, was seen walking around and holding doors open for guests before approaching the gift box. He then picked up the box, which was secured with a lock, and walked off with it. Another security video angle shows him jumping into a getaway car that was waiting in the alley out back. The getaway car opened the front door for the man and drove off with him after he stole the gift box.
The stolen gift box contained not only cash, but also special notes, thank yous, and congratulations from the guests. George Farahat, the groom, estimated that up to $100,000 was in the gift box. He emphasized that it is not just about the money, but also an invasion of privacy.
"It's extremely frustrating for the guests, as they collectively feel violated by the theft," George said. Nadeen Farahat added, "The tears on my wedding night were not the ones I imagined."
The couple described their wedding night as beautiful and the best of their lives. They hope that the man who stole from them will be caught.
The Glendale police are investigating the heist as grand theft. As of now, the venue has not responded to a request for comment. The suspected thief's identity remains unknown.
This incident serves as a reminder for couples to take extra precautions to secure their valuables during their wedding night. The Farahats' story is a stark reminder of the importance of security and privacy on such a special occasion.
