Groom Chases Thief Who Stole Wedding Gifts: 'Justice Will Be Served,' Says Afghanistan Vet
A groom chased a thief after he tried to steal gifts from their wedding reception, according to reports. Jared Lightle had been renewing his vows to his wife Stephanie on Saturday in Joplin, Missouri one year after marrying her when the incident occurred.
The groom who chased the thief first heard about the incident while putting his gifts in the car. His mother saw a man take cards from the gift table and leave, and when 28-year-old Lightle spotted the man across the street, he yelled "Stop! Thief! Stop!" but the man ran instead.
Lightle, his father and his brother chased the man while still wearing their wedding tuxedos, The Joplin Globe reported. Passengers in their vehicles, in traffic because of an accident, pointed the men in the direction of the thief so they wouldn't lose him.
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Eventually, one of the police officers who was dealing with the traffic accident joined chase as well, and he ended up catching the suspect with the gift cards and cash still in hand. Rosario Caruso, 31, was charged with trespassing, larceny and resisting arrest for his crime.
"If we hadn't caught the guy, it would have ended an otherwise perfect celebration on a very bitter note," Lightle told the Joplin Globe. "But since police caught him and it appears justice will be served."
Lightle had married his wife Stephanie in a courthouse a year ago before being deployed to Afghanistan. He served as a combat engineer with the 1st Cavalry Division while overseas.
"I guess we're going to have a very unique wedding story to tell the rest of our lives," he said.
