A cello valued at $100,000 and belonging to an L.A. Opera musician was stolen Wednesday from the Town and Country Hotel and Resort in Mission Valley, authorities reported Thursday.
Between 8 and 10 p.m., someone forced entry into the unoccupied room at the 500 Hotel Circle North hotel, said Officer Mark Herring.
The burglar or burglars stole several items, including a rare custom made cello by Mario Miralles and with the label “Mario Miralles 2010 Alta Dena California.”
According to the website The Strad, the instrument belonged to John Walz, principal cellist for the Los Angeles Opera orchestra.
“Yesterday I checked into my hotel in San Diego, went out to dinner, and when I came back, my room had been broken into, everything stolen – including my cello,” Walz said.
“I’m still in shock, friends have been wonderful! Though apparently the San Diego police don’t think this is important enough to even send one officer over to the hotel to take a report.”
The site said the cello was in a red carbon fiber one-latch case.
“Also in the case were two bows, one gold mounted Garner Wilson and one carbon fibre Arcus,” the story said.
San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s Western Division are asking for assistance from the public to help identify and locate the those responsible.
Anyone with information on this case should call San Diego police at (619) 692-4800 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.
Visit the Crime Stoppers website at sdcrimestoppers.org for more information on how to send anonymous web and mobile app tips.
