Woman arrested for stealing money, credit cards during wedding ceremonies in Fallbrook and other venues

Authorities located and arrested a woman they have been looking for in a string of thefts during wedding ceremonies.

Denise Gunderson, age 50, who also goes by the name of Denise Burns, had been running from authorities for several weeks before she was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, Nev.

"She was taken into custody on charges of stealing a wallet at a church," said San Diego County Sheriff’s detective Lisa Jenkins. "Even though Gunderson lied about her identity, detectives soon discovered she was wanted on various charges in San Diego and Riverside Counties."

Jenkins said between July and October of this year, brides in San Diego and Riverside counties (including Fallbrook) reported their wallets were stolen during their wedding ceremonies.

"Surveillance video captured Gunderson at several of the weddings in Coronado, La Mesa, and within the jurisdictions of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department," said Jenkins. "The videos also show Gunderson using the victims’ credit cards at several retail stores racking up thousands of dollars in charges."

Gunderson is now facing multiple counts of burglary, identity theft, and grand theft.

"She is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas and is awaiting extradition back to San Diego County to face charges," said Jenkins.