On March 9th, 2015 at approximately 1630 hours a male suspect left Advance Music carrying a black guitar case with red or pink tape on it. It was later determined that this subject had stolen a Taylor K24CE acoustic guitar (Serial #: 1106244152) valued at $5618.00.
White male in his late 20’s to early 30’s with brown medium length hair and a brown beard. Male is approximately 6’00”-6’02” and 180-200 lbs. Male was wearing sunglasses and a black and red beanie and was carrying a black guitar case with the bottom covered in red tape. Male has several tattoos and scars on both of his arms.
The suspect had left behind the guitar depicted in the attached photos. Anyone with knowledge of the owner of this guitar is asked to contact Burlington Police at 802-540-2344 or Crimestoppers at 802-864-6666.
3/12/15 UPDATE:
On March 11, 2015 at approximately 2030 hours Burlington Police Department with assistance from a Crimestoppers tip, were able to locate and recover the stolen Taylor guitar taken from Advanced Music on 3/9/15. The Burlington Police identified the suspect as, Thomas J. Popke DOB: 12/18/1978 of Hinesburg, VT. The Burlington Police Department would like to thank the local media for airing this story and the public for their assistance solving this case. Popke was charged with Felony Retail Theft and Unlawful Mischief and is due in Chittenden County Criminal Court on March 19th, 2015.
