Weddings Not Immune To Thieves

Brides aren't the only ones who love weddings.  Thieves do, too.  Bridal burglary is a crime that happens from time to time, where someone sneaks into a church during a wedding and makes off with purses or wallets from the dressing room.  The News On 6's crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports it happened just last weekend to a News On 6 producer and the bride's mother, at a church in south Tulsa.

Weddings are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration.  They're a time when couples share their day with family and friends.  Unfortunately, it's also a time when thieves take advantage of the hurried and rushed atmosphere beforehand and bridal parties that are distracted and trusting.

Evin Munson was in her girlfriend's wedding last weekend.  You can see the fun they were having back in the dressing room, while getting ready for Melissa's big moment.  When they left for the ceremony, they left their purses behind.   When they came back after the reception, Evin's wallet was gone.

"I never really thought someone would steal my stuff.  In a church, things are safe.  No one even knows where our room is.  Never thought about it being a problem," said theft victim Evin Munson.

She learned the thief had stolen the mother of the bride's wallet as well.

Evin has spent days replacing her driver's license, putting a hold on her credit cards, changing bank accounts, posting alerts with the credit bureaus, even getting a new Social Security card.  She says the theft put a real damper on an otherwise happy occasion.

"Totally ruined the night.  We had such a good time.  And, all of sudden, it's such a downer," said theft victim Evin Munson.

Evin is in another wedding next month and wants others who will also to be in weddings to know it can happen anywhere and to anyone.

"You don't think it's going to happen to me. You hear about these stories all the time, but never think it's going to happen to me," said theft victim Evin Munson.

To keep yourself from becoming a victim there are steps you can take.  First, never carry your social security card in your purse.

Second, rather than leave your purse in your car or trunk during the wedding, it would be much safer to have someone not in the wedding party hold it for you until the ceremony is over.

And, third, don't leave any valuables in the dressing room, unless you post someone there to keep watch.