Denise Louise Gunderson, who is better known as the Bridal Bandit, was sentenced April 6 to seven years in jail for stealing credit cards from brides and bridesmaids in Santee and a La Mesa bridal shop.
Gunderson, 50, pleaded guilty Feb. 10 to two counts of grand theft and two counts of identity theft that involved stealing credit cards. The plea agreement called for her incarceration at Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility rather than state prison.
Denise Louise Gunderson, who is better known as the Bridal Bandit, was sentenced April 6 to seven years in jail for stealing credit cards from brides and bridesmaids in Santee and a La Mesa bridal shop.
Gunderson, 50, pleaded guilty Feb. 10 to two counts of grand theft and two counts of identity theft that involved stealing credit cards. The plea agreement called for her incarceration at Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility rather than state prison.
The sheriff’s department says her projected release is set for June 20, 2019. She received credit for 216 days already spent in jail from San Diego Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon.
“The concern for the court is there is a greater chance that you will re-offend because you are not truly sorry for what you did,” said Shamoon.
Shamoon ordered Gunderson, who is also known as Denise Burns, to pay $3,244.30 to five victims, which included stores where Gunderson used the stolen credit cards. Restitution for seven other victims will be determined later and she was fined $8,873.
“I think her conduct in this case targeting brides and bridesmaids on the day of their weddings, supposed to be one of the most wonderful events of their lives, shows her lack of compassion,” said prosecutor Chandelle Konstanzer.
The sheriff’s department released her photo from security cameras and she fled the area. Gunderson was arrested in Las Vegas Dec. 7 after she took a wallet from a church
Brawley woman convicted of animal abuse and endangerment
An El Cajon jury convicted a Brawley woman April 5 of animal abuse and animal endangerment stemming from the death of her pit bull that was left inside her car while she was at the El Cajon courthouse.
The same jury acquitted Victoria Leeann Williams, 46, of felony animal cruelty in the same June 19, 2015 incident following nine hours of deliberations over two days.
Judge Evan Kirvin who allowed her to remain free on $25,000 bond set sentencing for May 3. Conditions of her bond bar her from caring for or possessing any dogs.
The animal abuse count is a felony, but the endangerment count is a misdemeanor. Deputy District Attorney Jihan Yacoub said Williams could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison because she has two prior convictions for receiving a stolen car, auto theft, and possession of methamphetamine.
Sheriff’s deputies who work at the courthouse were called as witnesses. They broke into Williams’ car, but the dog died anyway. The temperature that day was 94 degrees, and the temperature inside could have reached 130 degrees.
After this incident, the public was reminded not to leave babies, children, the elderly, or animals inside a hot car with the windows rolled up for even a few minutes, as it could be lethal.
