Crime

"Friend" steals couple's wedding gifts, say L.I. police

By Barry Leibowitz

September 5, 2012 / 8:33 AM EDT / CBS News

Omar Santiago, above, allegedly tried to steal all the gift envelopes at a newlywed couple's reception, to which he was invited. CBS New York via Suffolk County Police

(CBS) SAYVILLE, N.Y. - With friends like Omar Santiago, you might not want to disclose your wedding location.

Police in Sayville, N.Y. say Santiago, 18, was arrested a short distance from the West Sayville Country Club just before midnight Saturday, for stealing gifts from his newly married friends' wedding reception, CBS New York reported.

Santiago, of Irvington, N.J., was among the guests at Larry and Joanna Williamson's wedding bash. The maitre d' said he saw a man carrying the box filled with gift envelopes and alerted the bride, who did not recognize Santiago at first.

The suspect then tried to stuff the envelopes into his pockets and took off out of the country club. Other wedding guests chased him down and held him until police arrived.

All of the gift envelopes were returned to the couple.

Santiago is charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, and probably won't be invited to the kids' first communion.