New Jersey man arrested on suspicion of stealing Heart’s instruments

You can’t steal rock and roll.

On Thursday, police in Atlantic City, N.J., arrested a man on suspicion of the theft of two priceless instruments used by the rock band Heart. The instruments were allegedly stolen from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino prior to the band’s gig there on May 30.

Police said that they discovered surveillance video of a 57-year-old man from Pleasantville, N.J., attempting to sell the stolen guitar and mandolin in various parts of the city, according to a press release. Police took the suspect into custody and charged him with burglary and theft. The statement also said that the suspect allegedly successfully sold one of the instruments, while the location of the other instrument remains unknown.

The instruments were allegedly stolen from the band’s pre-show set-up for the An Evening with Heart concert. In a social media post offering a reward for the instruments’ return, Heart stated that the missing items include a “custom-built, one-of-a-kind purple sparkle baritone Telecaster with a hand-painted headstock” that was “crafted specifically” for guitarist Nancy Wilson, as well as a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin that multi-instrumentalist Paul Moak has played for more than 25 years.

“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,” Heart said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “The outpouring of love and concern has been overwhelming, and we are truly touched by the strength and compassion of this community.”

The band members noted that they have heard from “fans, fellow musicians, media outlets, and kind-hearted people from around the world” in the days since they publicized the items’ disappearance. “It means the world to us,” the band wrote. “Your support has been amazing!”

However, the musicians reiterated that they have yet to be reunited with their instruments. “While we’re encouraged by the progress made and thankful that an arrest has been made, our instruments have not yet been recovered,” Heart said in the statement. “We remain hopeful that they will be returned to us soon.”

Wilson previously highlighted the value of the instruments in the reward statement. “These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they’re extensions of our musical souls,” the rocker said. “We’re heartbroken, and we’re asking for their safe return — no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.”

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Heart has dozens of shows scheduled throughout the United States this summer. The group previously postponed its North American leg of its Royal Flush Tour when singer Ann Wilson announced she was undergoing cancer treatments in 2024.