Surveillance Video Shows Woman Taking South Sacramento Man's Christmas Shopping Money
SOUTH SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A South Sacramento man's Christmas was soured after he says a selfish stranger took off with money meant for his family.
Surveillance video shows the money that dropped out of his pocket being picked up by a woman who knew it wasn't hers.
Carlos Regalado says there would have been a lot more presents under the tree if it wasn't for the missing money.
The woman looks unassuming enough sitting with another woman trying on boots. But then she quickly grabs something off the floor.
"I had counted it just before we left to the store," Regalado said.
He says what she's picking up are his $2,000 she just watched fall from his pocket. It happened inside Los Vaqueros on Franklin Boulevard where he had been shopping for presents for his son the day before Christmas Eve.
"I had been sick, and I hadn't had time to get to the stores and do my Christmas shopping," he said.
After withdrawing the $2,000, Carlos says he had no idea he put the money inside a ripped pocket. The video shows the money dangling out before it falls onto the ground.
Then the woman made her move.
Regalado says a few minutes later, another woman seen on the video claims she found his money, but there was only $205.
"She said that's all they had found," Regalado said.
As he frantically searched for the rest, the two women left before he was able to see the video.
"I had gotten some shopping done, but you know my son was one of the last people I was shopping for," he said.
Regalado says he contacted the Sacramento Police, hoping the woman does the right thing.
"I mean I just have a tough time believing that someone would do that—like, not just because it's Christmas, but how would you feel if you dropped any money?" he said.
The two women were seen leaving together.
Police say this is a good reminder not to carry around large sums of cash.
