[MSN] US. Burglars steal $25,000 violin from restaurant

[MSN]

Burglars steal $25,000 violin from restaurant
By John Tompkins
The Facts 	

Published May 6, 2008
ALVIN — Police are investigating the burglary of a Mexican food restaurant during which a $25,000 Stradivarius violin was taken from its case.

Someone broke out the bottom window pane of the front door to enter the restaurant in the 700 block of Hill Street early Sunday, Alvin police reports state. Blue tape was placed over the window before it was broken, the reports state.

An employee came in that morning to find the window broken and later discovered the 1733 Stradivarius violin missing, Alvin Police Sgt. Jaime Crabtree said.

“It was in some kind of case in the restaurant,” he said.

Employees also found $950 stolen from a safe inside the restaurant as well as two cash registers valued at $300 missing, Alvin police reports state.

“They got some fingerprints” from the door of the restaurant, Alvin Police Detective Robert Taylor said.

Further details about the investigation were not available late Monday, Taylor said.

Alvin Police Chief Mike Merkel said if the burglar doesn’t know the true value of the violin, it likely will be pawned.

If the burglar knows the value of the violin, “they’re going to be able to fence it,” quickly, he said.

Investigators will have a good chance of tracking it by working the pawn details or informants because the violin will be recognized easily, he said.

“There’s only certain resources they can use,” Merkel said.

Those with information about the burglary can call Brazoria County Crime Stoppers at (800) 460-2222.

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