Wedding crasher steals $60,000 in gifts for newlyweds, California police say

A wedding crasher made off with an estimated $60,000 in cash and checks intended for the newlyweds, California police reported.

The man lurked inside the Renaissance Banquet Hall, then stole a box containing the financial gifts and fled shortly after midnight Sunday, Aug. 31, the Glendale Police Department said in a news release.

“It was a wonderful party until the incident took place,” George Farahat, the groom, told KTLA. “As is tradition in our culture, most people give cash or checks as gifts for the newlyweds, so there was (a) box containing all the envelopes, the cards, the money from family and friends that were invited.”

The wedding crasher, described as a 40-year-old man with a bald head and medium build, ran to the parking lot and fled in a newer black Mercedes SUV, police said.

“At that point, the music stopped, everyone was aware of the situation,” Nadeen Farahat, the bride, told KTLA. “It’s such a memorable and happy day and you’re having so much fun. You don’t think about this stuff. It’s the last thing that could’ve been on anyone’s mind.”

Police ask anyone with information to call 818-548-3127.

Glendale is about a 10-mile drive north of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Wedding crasher steals $60,000 in gifts for newlyweds, California police say."