$30K worth of instruments stolen from Carroll County shop linked to other thefts

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Over $30,000 worth of instruments were stolen from a Carroll County music shop late last month, and police believe the theft is connected to at least seven others that have occurred across Maryland since January.

On March 28, the owner of the Band Shoppe in Sykesville noticed that instruments were missing, and sales tags were left behind in the store.

According to Sykesville Police Department, over $30,000 worth on instruments, including a flute worth $10,000, were taken.

The Band Shoppe posted on Facebook that a total of seven instruments were stolen: three trumpets, an alto saxophone, and two clarinets, along with the flute.

In February, FOX45 News reported on a vintage guitar worth $15,000 that was stolen from Music Land in Bel Air.

Just a month later, three people, including a juvenile were arrested in that case.

Now, Sykesville Police believe they have a suspect in the Band Shoppe case, and that it’s tied to the same suspect group in the other music store thefts.

Authorities believe that the crimes are being carried out by the suspects working with other people to commit “distraction thefts.”

“Be mindful of who is coming in your shop,” authorities told FOX45 News on Friday.

Charges are expected in the case that would link the musical instrument thefts together.