Crime & Safety
Recognize Her? Woman Stole From Brides, Bridal Parties at Temecula Weddings, Cops Say
The wanted woman allegedly dressed as a guest at weddings around the area and helped herself to credit cards and cash as the bride wed.
Denise Louise Burns— also known as Denise Gunderson— is apparently in hiding and is aware that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is looking for her, authorities say.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 50-year-old woman suspected of stealing from brides and members of the bridal parties in at least six cases in Riverside and San Diego counties, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports.
Denise Louise Burns— also known as Denise Gunderson— is apparently in hiding and is aware that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is looking for her.
Detective Lisa Jenkins said if anyone has any information on her whereabouts, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-580-8477 or visit sdcrimestoppers.org, if they want to remain anonymous. If the information leads to an arrest, the tipster could receive up to a $1,000 reward.
Investigators said Burns dresses up like a wedding party guest and tells people that she is a guest if they see her wandering a wedding venue.
Somehow, she finds her way to the bridal suite and while the ceremony is taking place, she helps herself to all the wallets, cash and credit cards she can find in the room.
“Once she has possession of the stolen credit cards, she begins using them immediately, knowing they’d be safe to use because the victims wouldn’t know of the theft yet,” said Jenkins.
The deputy said that this thief “takes the cake pretty much,” with the brazenness of her crime.
Jenkins said Burns has victimized people at weddings in Fallbrook, La Mesa, Santee, Coronado, and twice in Temecula.
She will be booked on grand theft, fraud and burglary, Jenkins said.
The suspect struck at a June 7 wedding at Pala Mesa Resort in North County San Diego. Though the victim locked the bridal suite before her evening wedding ceremony, the room was burglarized.
The couple returned an hour later, but did not realize the room had been burglarized until the following day, when the bride could not find her wallet. Upon contacting her bank, she was informed of multiple charges made on her cards, as her ceremony was taking place.
In another case, money that was to be used to pay for the wedding was stolen from the room.
Burns has a history of committing similar crimes in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
People who have information may also reach out directly to Jenkins at (760) 451-3106.
