Connecticut Woman Busted for Stealing Bar Mitzvah Gift Checks in Mamaroneck

MAMARONECK, NY (January 8, 2026) — The Village of Mamaroneck Police Department has arrested a Connecticut woman accused of stealing gift checks from a Bar Mitzvah celebration and other similar events following a multi-agency investigation.

Maria Ham-Sagastume, 29, of Norwalk, Connecticut, was taken into custody on Jan. 6, 2026, after an arrest warrant was issued.

The investigation started when the family of a Bar Mitzvah celebrant reported that multiple checks given to their daughter during the Oct. 18, 2025, event at Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck had not been cashed.

The total amount of checks stolen at the Oct. 18 event was $1,174.

Detectives determined the missing checks had been taken from a secured gift card box during the event. Surveillance footage showed a female event worker removing gift cards on multiple occasions.

Further investigation revealed the suspect was employed by an outside staffing agency contracted to work at the event. She was later linked to attempts to cash stolen checks at multiple locations.

Detectives also uncovered additional thefts of gift checks from Bar Mitzvah events at other venues, including an incident at a country club in Greenburgh, NY. The case involved coordination with the Greenburgh Police Department.

Ham-Sagastume was transported to Mamaroneck Police Headquarters, where she was processed, arraigned and released on her own recognizance. She has been charged in Mamaroneck with Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree, an E Felony.

NOTE: we are awaiting further details from Greenburgh PD.

The Village of Mamaroneck Police Department thanked cooperating agencies and affected venues for their assistance and reminded the public that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.