Paul Moak’s vintage 1966 mandolin remains unaccounted for two weeks after it was stolen before Atlantic City concert
Nancy Wilson‘s custom-made guitar, one of the two “irreplaceable” instruments that were stolen on the eve of Heart’s tour, has been recovered, Atlantic City police announced Tuesday.
A suspect in the theft was arrested last week, at which time authorities said they obtained surveillance footage of 57-year-old Garfield Bennett from Pleasantville, NJ, trying to sell various items he had allegedly stolen from the band on the eve of their Royal Flush summer tour on May 31.
According to police, Bennett sold the purple Telecaster guitar made specifically for Wilson to another woman, who purchased it at a meet-up just blocks from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where the instruments were stolen, the Associated Press reports.
Using automated license plate readers on the surveillance footage, police were able to identify the woman who purchased the guitar from Bennett; when contacted by police, she voluntarily returned the instrument.
Wilson and Heart have not yet commented on the guitar’s return. The band continues their Royal Flush tour Friday night in St. Louis, Missouri. Police added that the other stolen instrument, a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin played by band member Paul Moak for the past three decades, remains unaccounted for.
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“These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they’re extensions of our musical souls,” Nancy Wilson previously said in a statement after the instruments were first stolen.
“The baritone Tele was made uniquely for me, and Paul’s mandolin has been with him for decades. We’re heartbroken, and we’re asking for their safe return—no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.” She added, “We are deeply grateful to the Atlantic City Police Department, the Hard Rock organization, and everyone who came together to support us in the search for our stolen instruments. The outpouring of love and concern has been overwhelming, and we are truly touched by the strength and compassion of this community.”
