What was meant to be a night of joy and celebration turned into a nightmare for newlyweds George and Nadeen Farahat, after a mysterious wedding crasher stole a gift box filled with cash, checks, and gift cards worth an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 from their lavish reception in Glendale, California.
Where Did The Gifts Go?
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 at the Renaissance Banquet Hall, not long after the couple had said their “I dos” at a church in downtown Los Angeles. Surveillance footage captured an unidentified man, dressed in black, casually moving through the venue before grabbing the box and getting away through a side door.
According to the Glendale Police Department, the suspect is described as a bald male, around 40 years old, of white or Middle Eastern descent, with a medium build, according to KABC. Security footage shows him being at the celebration for nearly 90 minutes, mingling near the bar, pacing the hallways, and even appearing to order a drink before committing the crime.
“As soon as we found out what happened, you know, the music shut down, everything immediately stopped,” Nadeen Farahat told KABC. “I ended up sitting on the dance floor sobbing with my friends and cousins around me.”
Guests had brought cash, checks, and gift cards, which were placed in a decorative box, a tradition at Middle Eastern weddings. The thief managed to take the box undetected before escaping in a black Mercedes-Benz SUV.
“It’s very brave. I think he even tipped the bartender,” George Farahat said. The couple said one of their friends recorded the moment the suspect snatched the gifts and showed them the video shortly after.
The Farahats, who paid for extra security at the venue, filed a police report and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“Watching the dance floor, he’s even watching our family. It’s just so scary to look back and see that there was a stranger at such a private event, and such an intimate event,” Nadeen added.
