Party Crasher is Actually a Thief
She came without an invitation; she left with cards containing cash, checks and gift cards. A Spokane, WA woman has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for felony grand theft for stealing gift cards and personal checks at a wedding in Lewiston, Idaho last summer. The theft was discovered when the couple opened gifts with family and friends, some of whom realized that their card and its contents was missing. Fortunately, one family member is a police officer and remembered seeing the woman, a former high school classmate, at the reception. He knew she was not an acquaintance of the bride or groom and she acted nervous when he talked with her and she left soon after.
Family and friends gave police information about the stolen gift cards and stores were alerted to watch for them. Soon, Macys, Home Depot, Costco and other businesses reported a woman of the same description using the cards. In some instances, she produced a driver's license for identification. Gift cards purchased by credit card could be traced to the original purchasers, who verified the intended recipient of the cards, which was not the person using them.
In the course of the investigation, police discovered the woman used more gift cards than those reported stolen in Lewiston. She is currently under investigation for stealing cards at an event held at Gonzaga University in Spokane, and possibly other events as well, and additional charges may be filed.
So what can we learn from this? First, be very careful about gifts in general and particularly about cards at any public event. Don't place cards in a basket or similar open container. Rather, use a box with a slit in the top or another container that is more difficult to conceal. The event planner or a family member should remove the card box to a safe place as soon as most of the guests have arrived and the party gets started. The box can be locked in a car or taken to a hotel room or another location not accessible to the public. And ask someone keep an eye on wrapped gifts as well.
Second, theft can occur at any event and any location. The thief may not be a party crashing stranger. He/she could be working for the caterer, the event center, or another service provider who is authorized to be at the event. A few years ago here in Boise a DJ was implicated in the theft of cards from events held at a local golf club.
Lastly, if you purchase a gift card, use a credit card. That way, the gift card can be traced if it is stolen. Unfortunately, if you give cash or purchase a gift card using cash, your gift will be gone forever.
It is unfortunate that unscrupulous people can ruin even the most joyous occasion, so be careful with all your possessions, old and new. Don't create a temptation for anyone.
Family and friends gave police information about the stolen gift cards and stores were alerted to watch for them. Soon, Macys, Home Depot, Costco and other businesses reported a woman of the same description using the cards. In some instances, she produced a driver's license for identification. Gift cards purchased by credit card could be traced to the original purchasers, who verified the intended recipient of the cards, which was not the person using them.
In the course of the investigation, police discovered the woman used more gift cards than those reported stolen in Lewiston. She is currently under investigation for stealing cards at an event held at Gonzaga University in Spokane, and possibly other events as well, and additional charges may be filed.
So what can we learn from this? First, be very careful about gifts in general and particularly about cards at any public event. Don't place cards in a basket or similar open container. Rather, use a box with a slit in the top or another container that is more difficult to conceal. The event planner or a family member should remove the card box to a safe place as soon as most of the guests have arrived and the party gets started. The box can be locked in a car or taken to a hotel room or another location not accessible to the public. And ask someone keep an eye on wrapped gifts as well.
Second, theft can occur at any event and any location. The thief may not be a party crashing stranger. He/she could be working for the caterer, the event center, or another service provider who is authorized to be at the event. A few years ago here in Boise a DJ was implicated in the theft of cards from events held at a local golf club.
Lastly, if you purchase a gift card, use a credit card. That way, the gift card can be traced if it is stolen. Unfortunately, if you give cash or purchase a gift card using cash, your gift will be gone forever.
It is unfortunate that unscrupulous people can ruin even the most joyous occasion, so be careful with all your possessions, old and new. Don't create a temptation for anyone.
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