Wedding Story

By Debbie Kalinowski & newspaper article

Keep an eye on your wedding gifts

Hi,

From what I've heard recently, this is the latest "trend". And now this newspaper article confirms it. Please warn all your Brides & Grooms to keep a lookout for "uninvited" guests at their weddings! These "guests" are making off with the wedding gifts! (By the way, I have done/will be doing weddings at all of the catering halls mentioned in this article and I find this news very distressing!)

Debbie

________________________________________________

Posted on Sat, Dec. 04, 2004

A wedding pest admits to thefts at receptions

A South Philadelphia man has told authorities he stole $10,000 in cash and checks from three recent events.

By Sam Wood

Inquirer Staff Writer

An uninvited guest at wedding receptions in South Jersey has admitted to making off with $10,000 in cash and checks intended for the newlyweds, authorities said.

Anthony Rossi, 30, of the 2600 block of Percy Street in South Philadelphia, surrendered to police yesterday and confessed to absconding with gifts from three recent receptions, said Detective Michael DeLorenzo of Berlin Borough police.

In the most recent incident, on Nov. 13, Rossi told police, a wedding guest - the groom's cousin - pursued him down the Atlantic Expressway after he grabbed the gift box at a reception at Venice Catering in Berlin and tried to make a getaway, DeLorenzo said.

The pursuit broke off only after he tossed the gift collection box out the window of his 1991 Lexus and the cousin stopped to recover it, DeLorenzo said.

Berlin Borough police said they received numerous tips about the identity of the wedding thief after WPVI-TV (Channel 6) broadcast a composite drawing of the suspect Thursday night.

One of the tips led police to Rossi yesterday.

DeLorenzo said Rossi was charged after confessing to the Nov. 13 heist; a Sept. 4 theft at the Renaissance Room in Washington Township; and a Sept. 11 theft from Anthony and Cleopatra Caterers in Williamstown.

He also told police he had tried to strike at the Woodbury Country Club but was scared off when off-duty Philadelphia police officers at the reception grew suspicious, DeLorenzo said.

Rossi told investigators he would randomly choose a catering hall on a Saturday and pose as a wedding guest, dressing the part. And, just in case he might be spotted leaving with the loot, he would take the license plates off his getaway vehicle.

On at least one occasion, Rossi enlisted the help of an unwitting catering hall employee, DeLorenzo said.

"He would just walk up and say, 'You want to clean up now? Maybe we should take this out to the car.' They thought he was part of the family and gave him a hand," DeLorenzo said.

In the wake of the thefts, local caterers have beefed up security and have asked guests to keep a close eye on their wedding gifts, DeLorenzo said.

DeLorenzo said the unemployed Rossi had told investigators he was not responsible for any thefts where only a few cash envelopes were taken.

"He has no reason to lie," DeLorenzo said. "He's been honest and open. He said he wasn't interested in anything small. His main goal was to take the whole shebang."

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar