Tipsy thief steals 2 mandolins from NJ music store, returns them days later with note saying ‘I been drunk’

The owner of Lark Street Music in Teaneck, New Jersey, was in for a surprise when a tipsy thief stole two mandolins from the store and then later returned them with a handwritten note of regret. The incident unfolded when the brazen bandit snatched a Gibson F-12 and a Webber Yellowstone from the store wall and concealed them in his coat before walking out casually.

After the owner posted surveillance footage of the theft online, the video quickly went viral, putting pressure on the suspect to return the stolen instruments. Four days later, the thief made a mysterious return, dropping off the mandolins at the store with a note written on graph paper. The note read, “Sorry, I been drunk, Merry Christmas. You are a good man.”

The owner expressed gratitude to the public for spreading the clip of the theft, which ultimately led to the return of the mandolins. However, the suspect managed to slip away after dropping off the instruments, leaving the owner to chase after him in an attempt to catch him. Despite the owner’s efforts, the suspect evaded capture, and it remains unclear whether he has been apprehended.

The Teaneck Police Department has not provided any updates on the case, and the owner of Lark Street Music has not been reached for further comments. The bizarre turn of events serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of crime and the power of social media in solving cases.