MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Police are trying to figure out if wedding crashers who swiped a gift box on Sunday have struck again.
Police say an uninvited couple walked in to a wedding reception at Edinburgh Golf Club in Brooklyn Park. Security cameras rolled as the man walked out with a box filled with the couple’s gift cards and cash.
The same thing happened 13 miles away on Saturday at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake.
After her husband passed away, Thespo Hams saved for years for the perfect wedding for her youngest daughter, Cassandra.
“It was a beautiful day. We went to church, and it was a wonderful service,” Hams said.
On Saturday, it all initially seemed to be going smoothly for the family and their 152 guests.
“I was feeling very uncomfortable the whole night having the box next to the exit,” she said.
They say it’s what someone took who wasn’t invited that a mother wants police to take to heart.
“When I went the third time, the box…was gone,” Hams said.
At another country club two Saturday’s earlier, Jill and Jesse Goembel were the victims. A couple walked into the reception. Minutes later, the man was caught on video walking out through the kitchen with all of the newlywed’s cards.
In this latest case from Saturday, there wasn’t any video from inside the venue. But just a half an hour later, the thieves popped up on security video somewhere else.
Investigators say whoever took the money this time used two gift cards at a Twin Cities Target store. They say it’s too early to say if the cases are connected, but that it seems possible.
“I don’t think they’re smart because if they’re smart maybe they’d hide their face,” Hams said.
Hams’ daughter isn’t sure how much they got away with. She left Monday morning with her new husband to go back home, leaving her mom to send a message to some cruel wedding crashers.
“In this life we don’t just take. We have to work for it,” Hams said.
Police say people having weddings shouldn’t put a card box near an entrance. If it’s convenient for guests, it’s also convenient for thieves.
They also say it’s a good idea to assign someone to watch the box.
