Reward offered for safe return of local violinist’s missing instrument
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — The reward offered for the safe return of a missing violin has been increased to $2,500.
The beloved instrument, owned by Alan Choo, who is a member of the Cleveland group Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra, was reported stolen during a daytime rehearsal last Friday. A book bag that had the man’s ID and credit cards was also reported as taken.
JOANN Inc., fabric and craft company, files for bankruptcy
According to a Cleveland Heights police report, Choo and his fellow group members left for lunch, leaving their gear in a rehearsal room at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Fairmount Boulevard. Upon returning just before 1 p.m., Choo discovered his violin, bow, violin case and book bag were all missing from where he left them.
A church receptionist told police there were few people inside the building that day and that there was only way in and out of the building at that time.
Wireless earbuds left in the book bag (which Choo pinged) were able to lead investigators to an area on South Taylor Road at about 6 p.m. Friday. Officers reportedly checked a vehicle there, which matched a description of a car seen by a witness in the church parking lot, but found nothing. A search of a nearby apartment complex also came up short.
500-pound ball of pythons found in Florida marsh
Choo initially offered a $400 cash reward for the return of his violin and said he is not pursuing legal action.
“The instrument holds significant emotional and artistic value to the owner,” the reward flier reads.
Anyone with information is asked to call or text 347-722-1734.
In a post on Instagram, Choo said he remains hopeful he’ll get his instrument back, and is borrowing a violin for the time being.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
