Stolen Van Halen Guitar Recovered

Stolen Van Halen Guitar Recovered

Three men have been arrested for allegedly stealing a rare EDDIE VAN HALEN guitar.
Jeronimo Frutero, a shipping supervisor at the American Musical Supply store in New York, and his friend Richard Rodriguez worked together to orchestrate the scheme, which saw them steal more than $50,000 (£35,000) worth of musical instruments, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

He claims Rodriguez, posing as a customer, purchased several inexpensive items online from the store, which Frutero then replaced with more expensive items. Frutero is then alleged to have switched the shipping labels and had delivery workers package and send the high-end music equipment. A third man, Michael Nuzzo, also allegedly ordered cheaper items online and actually received more expensive ones, says Molinelli.

Police allegedly discovered $55,000 (£36,666) worth of stolen items, including the limited-edition Van Halen replica guitar, worth $25,000 (£16,666), in Rodriguez's New Jersey home.
All three men are due to appear in court on Tuesday (29Sep09).