In what can only be described as a jaw-dropping wedding heist, a man infiltrated a Glendale, California wedding, swiped a box containing $60,000 in cash and checks, and made a hasty getaway in a luxury Mercedes SUV. The entire scene, captured on video, has now gone viral, leaving social media users stunned and the Glendale Police scrambling for leads, ABC news reported.The theft occurred on the night of August 31, during the wedding reception of George and Nadeen Farahat at the Renaissance Banquet Hall. What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of their lives quickly turned into a nightmare, when the suspect, who had apparently blended in seamlessly with the wedding guests, made off with the hefty sum.The bold heistAccording to the Glendale Police Department, the robbery took place around 12:50 am local time, right after midnight. The suspect, described as a middle-aged man in his 40s of either Middle Eastern or White descent, was seen entering the hall with the ease of someone familiar with the event. Surveillance footage shows him scanning the room as if searching for something, or someone, before targeting the box.That box, which contained a substantial sum in both cash and checks, was a wedding gift pile centerpiece. Witnesses say the suspect, dressed in all black, casually walked up to it, grabbed the box, and made a swift exit toward the venue’s exit door. The chase didn’t end there. Another security camera outside the venue recorded the man jumping into the passenger seat of a sleek black Mercedes SUV, which then sped off into the night.A stunning video captureABC News shared a viral clip from the wedding, where viewers can see the suspect, bald-headed and quick on his feet, bolting out of the hall with the box under his arm. The partygoers, unaware of the crime unfolding before their eyes, continue dancing and mingling as if nothing is amiss. In a shocking twist, it’s revealed that the suspect even had the audacity to grab a drink at the bar before making his exit.The footage has since circulated on social media, where viewers have been left in disbelief at the audacity of the man’s actions. Some have even jokingly dubbed him “The Boldest Wedding Crasher.”Newlyweds speak outIn an exclusive interview with ABC News, the bride, Nadeen Farahat, expressed her shock and disbelief. “It’s terrifying to think that someone would target you during such an intimate moment in your life,” she said. “It’s just hard to swallow that someone walked in, dressed in black, like a shadow—and took what was supposed to be our special day’s gifts.”Nadeen revealed that the man didn’t just slip in unnoticed, he mingled with guests, even sipping on a drink at the bar. “It was scary,” she admitted. “It was like he was part of the crowd, and then, just like that, he took everything.”Her husband, George Farahat, tried to maintain a positive outlook despite the circumstances. “Honestly, the scariest part was that we didn’t know what could have happened. Thank goodness no one was hurt. We’re just trying to focus on the positive, celebrating our marriage, even though this happened.”The police search intensifiesThe Glendale Police Department is actively investigating the incident and has released the footage in hopes of tracking down the thief. In a statement, police urged anyone with information to come forward. While the suspect’s identity remains unknown, they believe he may have some prior knowledge of the venue, given how smoothly he executed the heist.The newlyweds have also offered a reward—$5,000—for information leading to the suspect’s capture. “We just want justice,” George Farahat told ABC News. “Whoever did this needs to face the consequences.”A wedding day to remember—for the wrong reasonsFor the Farahats, the incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a joyous day. Still, they remain hopeful that their wedding day memory won’t be forever overshadowed by this crime. “It’s hard,” Nadeen said, “but we’re trying to move forward. It was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives, and it still can be.”As police work around the clock to track down the thief, the Farahats are left hoping that the only thing they remember about their wedding day will be the love they shared, not the audacious heist that disrupted it.
