A Man in His 50s Pretending to Be a Wedding Guest Enters Venue and Steals Congratulatory Money, Arrested by Police

Wedding Hall Theft Amid Crowds: Stealing Gift Money Bags
Police Plan to Investigate Motive and Send Case to Prosecutors

Mr. A stealing a bag and running away at the wedding hall. Photo by Reader Provided (Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A man in his 50s who entered a wedding hall pretending to be a guest and stole congratulatory money amid the confusion inside the venue was caught by the police.

On the 23rd, Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station announced that they have arrested and are investigating Mr. A (59) on charges of theft.

Mr. A is accused of stealing a bag containing congratulatory money and luxury goods worth approximately 5.3 million won at a wedding hall in Cheongju on the 7th, then fleeing the scene. It is reported that he took advantage of the moment when guests went on stage to take commemorative photos with the bride and groom to steal bags and valuables left on the seats.

Police who responded to the report identified the suspect through analysis of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and arrested Mr. A on the spot on the 17th in a street in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju City.

According to the investigation, Mr. A is believed to have stolen valuables worth a total of approximately 18.5 million won over five separate incidents. He is also suspected of stealing a bag containing congratulatory money and other valuables worth several million won at a wedding hall in Gwangmyeong City on the 1st.

Meanwhile, the police plan to transfer Mr. A to the prosecution after investigating the motive behind the crimes.