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Stolen Mandolins Returned to N.J. Shop With Apology Note as Police Seek Suspect

Police are treating the returned mandolins as evidence in an active investigation.

Overview

  • Surveillance video from Dec. 22 showed a man slipping two mandolins under his coat at Lark Street Music in Teaneck.
  • The owner posted the footage online, and the clip went viral, which he believes pressured the suspect to give the instruments back.
  • Days later the mandolins were dropped at the shop in shopping bags with a handwritten note reading, "SORRY, I BEEN DRUNK, MERRY CHRISTMAS You are good man," and a box of chocolates.
  • The instruments, identified as a Gibson F-12 and a Weber Yellowstone valued at roughly $3,500 and $4,250, had only minor nicks, according to the owner.
  • Teaneck police say no arrests have been made, the mandolins are in custody as evidence, and the person responsible will most likely face charges once identified.