Stolen Alto Saxophone

[Ryga]

My friend Jack Stafford just had his Selmer Mk. 6 alto saxophone stolen out of the trunk of his car in Victoria B.C. This crime is made even more distressing for the fact that the thief stole the saxophone, the neck AND the mouthpiece but left the empty case in the trunk of the vehicle.

The thief who would do this in my opinion could only be a saxophone player who must of known Jack's car and suspected the horn was there - otherwise, why take the horn in parts and not the case too? And why take the mouthpiece??

This is a dispicable and cowardly act. Please keep a careful look out for this instrument, especially if you live in Victoria, as Jack teaches at UVic. 2 days a week. The saxophone was purchased new by Jack in the early 70's. Serial number to follow shortly. Anyone with information on this crime should go straight to the police, as a report has been filed.

Cam.

[Ryga]

I'll just augment my last posting. The neck and mouthpiece were evidently in the bell, so it might of simply been some thief who just didn't want to carry the case.

Please look out for a Mark 6 Selmer alto saxophone with the serial number '229344'

Someone will be looking for a case or gig bag for that instrument.

[John Doheny]

Ouch! My worst nightmare. My deepest sympathies to Mr. Stafford. I'll tattoo that serial # to my palm and keep an eye out.

I'm sure Jock has already done this, but I'm headed over to Prussin Music today and I'm going to ask them how efficient the constabulary are about forwarding information on stolen instruments to music stores, since they (and pawn shops) are obvious points of re-sale. My guess would be that this isn't a real high priority deal with cops, and it might be a good idea to personally make sure these places have this # on file in case sombody shows up wanting to sell the horn on consignment. I'll make sure Prussin has it when I go over there later today.

[Steve]

In my personal experience, finding musical instruments is WAY down on the Police List of things to do. I wouldn't count on them finding it in a pawn shop. Stolen instruments do ocasionally come into L&M/Northwest/Prussin etc. I know a stolen bassoon came into L&M this summer. Stolen horns have also been known to turn up on Ebay. If you go to Ebay.ca you can do local searches for Vancouver and see what is for sale locally. One of my horns turned up that way. (a year and a half later)

[This message has been edited by Steve (edited January 08, 2003).]

[Ryga]

hang tight guys... - there may be a happy ending, just getting some details, I'll let you know.

Cam.

[Ryga]

An honest person intercepted Jack's horn the day after it was stolen in Duncan, and gave the thief $35 more than the $100 the pawn shop had offered him. Then that person had suspicions and contacted the good people at Long and McQuade in Victoria - who had been alerted by my friend Sam at Long and McQuade Langley, and the serial number matched. This honest person then contacted Jack directly and will be hand delivering the instrument and mouthpiece back to Jack shortly.
I told Jack that this never happens, and he knows that. There must be an angel watching over him... What a happy ending I'd say. Nobody deserves it more than Jack.

Cam.

[XavierG]

Truly a first! This is about the time I'd start pinching myself to make sure it wasn't a dream.

[Morgan Childs]

Wow, that's a relief... as far as stolen horns go, I know Mike Allen had his ripped off last year. I remember he was totally distraught for about a week, then it DID turn up in a pawnshop and he got it back. At least I think that's how the story went..?