Jul 8, 2009 10:48 pm US/Central
Burglar Steals Rare Violin From Edgewater Home
Police: Burglar Got In With Resident's Spare Key
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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This 1763 Januarius Gennaro violin was stolen from a home in the Edgewater neighborhood
Chicago Police
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This 1763 Januarius Gennaro violin was stolen from a home in the Edgewater neighborhood
Chicago Police
As you know, there are burglaries every day here in Chicago. But one item stolen from a north side home really struck a chord. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov has more on a mysterious violin caper.
Violins can be masterpieces, crafted to perfection, like some that are worth $7 million. Others are valuable not only in price but sentiment. Just ask professional violinist Lori Ashikawa.
"I really thought that was the instrument I was going to take to the grave with me," Ashikawa said.
But sometime early Tuesday morning, someone used a hidden, outdoor key, entered Ashikawa's north side house and stole her 226-year-old Jinaro Galiano violin, while she and her husband slept.
"It was right on this table because I had just finished practicing," Ashikawa said.
Ashikawa says she looked everywhere, all through her house that's currently being rehabbed. She believes the burglar walked up the partially constructed steps and up another staircase to get the violin, leaving a laptop behind.
Nothing else was taken from the home.
"No. That was it," Ashikawa said.
The burglar stole a Gagliano violin, with an internal label that said "Januarius Gagliano, Naple, 1763."
The back of the violin features a large black inlaid fleur de lis-like geometric design. The chin crest is brown, with a round red sponge shoulder rest attached with a rubber band, police said.
The burglar also stole two bows. The first was made by Emile Ouchard and dated from between 1930 and 1935. It has leather wrapping at its frog, or nut, and may or may not have the name "Ouchard" stamped on the wood at the frog.
The second bow was made by H.R. Pfretzschner, and has an octagonal stick. The manufacturer's name is stamped on the wood at the bow's frog, and the date is unknown, police said.
Also stolen was a Bobelock rectangular violin case measuring 31 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches, with a maroon interior and a maroon blanket inside, police said.
"The value of that violin these days would be in the hundred thousand dollar range," said violin dealer Geoffrey Fushi.
World-renowned violin dealer Fushi says it would be difficult to sell such a distinctive instrument for its true value.
"When violins have been stolen, they've generally ended up in pawn shops," Fushi said.
Ashikawa just hopes it turns up somewhere intact.
"It's traumatic to look for a new instrument, it's like finding a spouse - almost," Ashikawa said.
Ashikawa and her husband are keeping their sense of humor about the theft.
Some stolen violins have eventually turned up, but others have disappeared forever.
Chicago Police have put out a community alert. Anyone with information about the stolen violin is asked to contact Belmont Area detectives at (312) 744-8263.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov contributed to this report.
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