UPDATE: By Thursday at 9:30pm, Edwards’ post on Facebook had been shared an incredible 14,390 shares.
Musician Kathleen Edwards, owner of Quitters Coffee on Stittsville Main Street, posted on Facebook today about a 1957 Les Paul Junior guitar stolen from her home:
This one hurts. Bad.
My 1957 Les Paul junior was stolen from my home in Stittsville, Ontario. I can only guess that someone came in through the back door when it was unlocked, picked it up, without a case, and walked out.
I am hoping that this post will circulate in the Ottawa area and come across the person responsible, or someone who has noticed a friend or relative with a new instrument kicking around:
Be very VERY sure, a 1957 les Paul doesn’t just get resold online, in a pawn shop, at a guitar store without gaining attention. You won’t be able to play it in front of people. It will draw attention, someone will notice. People who buy and sell valuable instruments know exactly what they are, and when they are stolen.
You will be caught if you try and sell it. I have tons of images of it, and documented serial number. So you have no chance to sell it and make money. And worse, you will be charged for a significant theft, and linked to a break and enter.
If the guitar is returned, I can accept a “no questions asked” agreement. Whether that means the guitar is returned to my business, Quitters coffee, to my home, or through a mutual acquaintance. I can accept a foolish drunken teenage lapse of judgement, a momentary hiccup in your moral being.
I can promise you that the instrument will not make you money, it will not go unnoticed and you will at some point be caught.
Do the right thing.
And thanks for keeping your ear to the ground.