[CPProt.net] Cops recover stolen 18th century violin

[MusSecNetworkCulPropProtNet]

Cops recover stolen 18th century violin 
February 10, 2005
BY MONIFA THOMAS Staff Reporter 

Lisle police on Wednesday announced the recovery of a rare, 18th century
violin valued at more than $280,000, one week after the instrument
disappeared from the basement of a west suburban church where its owner had
been giving music lessons.

"I am just absolutely thrilled," the violin's owner, Pamela Bublitz-Snider,
said in a news conference. "You just don't know what you have until it's
gone. I am so grateful to have it back."

The Nicolo Gagliano violin, built in 1774, arrived at the Lisle police
station about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, but police spokesman Ron Wilke would not
say whether anyone was seen dropping it off there. The violin did not appear
to be damaged, and except for Bublitz-Snider's musical scores, nothing was
missing from the violin's case.

Wilke wouldn't say whether police had suspects in the Feb. 2 theft from the
First Congregational Church in Lisle. The instrument will stay in police
custody until it has been analyzed for fingerprints and other evidence.

"This remains an active criminal investigation," Wilke said.

Now that the value of her violin has been made public, Bublitz-Snider said
she plans to step up security measures to prevent another theft, including
outfitting the violin with a tracking device.

http://www.suntimes.com/