BEL AIR, Md. — The Bel Air Police Department announced three people have been arrested in connection to a guitar theft at Music Land in Bel Air.
The suspects have been identified as 18-year-old Ionut Stoica and 19-year-old Milescu Teodora, both from Roselle, New Jersey.
The third suspect is a juvenile from Middlesex, New Jersey.
On February 3, four suspects entered Music Land and allegedly stole a 1947 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, worth about $15,000.
Three arrested in connection to $15K guitar theft at Music Land in Bel Air
They posed as potential buyers admiring guitars for sale in the acoustic room at Music Land, and when an employee stepped out for a moment, it took the four thieves less than a minute to remove a vintage instrument from the wall, tuck it inside one of their coats and make their getaway.
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Police say they believe the same suspects who took the guitar here are also responsible for taking jewelry and makeup from other stores all the way from the Mid-Atlantic to the West Coast.
The investigation involved coordination with multiple agencies across several states including in Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Connecticut, Washington and Pennsylvania.
“A lot of tips from the community,” said Bel Air Police Sgt. Sergio D’Alto, “They’re all communicating with each other. I think musicians, people with a love of instruments, take this personal. This is more than just an item. This is a high-valued for multiple reasons instrument.”
The 1947 Martin acoustic guitar had come in on consignment from a woman selling her late father’s prized possession, but Music Land won’t allow the same people who took the instrument to change the business for the worse.
The suspects may be associated with a group involved in organized retail theft operating in multiple regions.
At this time, the stolen guitar has not been recovered.
The investigation remains active.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bel Air Police Department at 410-638-4500.
