Heart instruments theft: Guitar recovered, mandolin still missing after arrest made

Guitar recovered after Heart instruments theft in Atlantic City

Some good news for the rock band Heart after a concert at the Jersey Shore ended in heartbreak for the bandmates.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Some good news for the rock band Heart after a concert at the Jersey Shore ended in heartbreak for the bandmates.

The backstory:

Two beloved instruments were stolen off the stage before Heart's show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino earlier this month.

A day later, 57-year-old Garfield Bennett was taken into custody for the thefts, but the instruments were not recovered.

Police say he was captured on surveillance video selling one instrument to a woman.

What we know:

On Tuesday, Atlantic City police announced that the band's Telecaster guitar had been recovered using surveillance cameras and license plate readers to track the woman who purchased it from Bennett.

The guitar was voluntarily surrendered and turned over to Hard Rock representatives, who will return it to Heart.

The band's mandolin has yet to be recovered, and its location is still being investigated.

What they're saying:

Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson tells FOX 29 that she is "grateful" that the guitar was found, and is hoping for the mandolin's safe return.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the Atlantic City Police Department for recovering my guitar-it means so much to have it back in my hands. Their dedication and quick action are deeply appreciated.
However, we're still hoping for the safe return of Paul Moak's vintage mandolin, which remains missing. This instrument holds tremendous sentimental and musical value. A reward is still being offered—no questions asked-for its return. We just want to see it come home where it belongs."