SAN FRANCISCO—Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for two suspects who are wanted for stealing a “priceless” cello instrument on Sunday, September 16.
Though the cello was recovered two days later, police are seeking the individuals responsible for the theft that took place on Sunday, September 16 between the hours of 2pm and 6pm.
According to a San Francisco Police Department news release, two unknown suspects entered a school located on Fell Street and stole a Bubenreuth Cello from an unlocked storage locker. One of these cellos is estimated to cost around $3000 according to the Woodwind and Brasswind Authority website.
Then on the evening of Tuesday, September 18 around 11:55pm, the cello was discovered by a security officer who saw it leaning up against a door at the War Memorial Opera House located on Van Ness Avenue. Upon hearing news reports on Wednesday morning about the cello theft, security personnel contacted police and school officials. The instrument was determined to be the stolen cello and has been returned to the victim.
Police describe the first suspect as a white male approximately 6’ 1 tall and weighing 180 pounds with dirty blond/brown hair between 25 and 30 years old. The second suspect is described as a white female approximately 5’ 7 tall, weighing 120 pounds, thin build with black hair and between 25 and 30 years of age.
A surveillance video of the suspects during the cello theft has been released to the public. It can be viewed at: www.sf-police.org/index.aspx?recordid=489&page=3763.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Inspector Brian Danker from the SFPD’s Northern Station Special Investigation Team at (415) 614-3463. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with “SFPD.”
By Damian Kelly
