Stolen Drums, a long, frustrating story

Elliot

Member
This is still hard to recount, but here goes…

Last week my brand new C&C drums were stolen. I left them in my van at work while I carpooled to rehearsal, and when I got back three hours later a window was smashed and my 12" and 14" toms were gone. Nothing else was stolen, including the bass drum (!), just some general rifling of my stuff and a lot of broken glass. What followed was a long night of filing a police report, cleaning up, and taping foam over the window.

Since then I've tried all the local pawn shops, music stores, craigslist, etc. My only lead so far came from Guitar Center. I showed the drum guy a picture of my kit, and he truly looked like he had seen a ghost. The previous night (the night they were stolen, probably while I was waiting for the police and feeling sorry for myself) a guy had called asking about selling two toms. The drum guy told him, No, not if it isn't a full kit. The guy brought them in anyway, with a story about a friend giving them to him for helping with a move. The clerk told him again that they wouldn't buy just two toms, but he also told this guy about C&C and how valuable the drums are.

He gave me a description of the guy, but apparently Guitar Center doesn't have security cameras (?!) for an actual picture of him. My girlfriend also had the idea of getting his number from the caller id, but they apparently don't have that either.

About a week later a detective was assigned to my case. He's a nice enough guy, but from what I can tell he's basically spent a morning doing all the same things I've done, calling pawn shops and the like. Theoretically, if they show up in a pawn shop or music store or something, he will know because of inventory lists they're required to file with the police. We'll see if that pans out.

It's now been about two weeks, and nothing else has turned up. This has all been pretty hard for me. I bought this kit after months of research, saving, selling off other gear, and generally working up to it. The final decision came after a very (relatively) successful tour in the Northwest. I got back and decided it was time to make an investment into this thing that was becoming a bigger and bigger part of my life, and livelihood. I still have another kit, and the C&C kick, but it still feels like part of me is just missing. It will be probably six months to a year before I can actually afford to replace these drums if they don't turn up.

Well, that's my whole sad story for now. I'm not looking for anything from you, my fellow members, but a sympathetic ear, or maybe a suggestion of how to proceed. I think you guys will understand a little better, maybe, what this feels like, as this isn't really a situation that my non-musician friends quite get. Thank you for being a supportive community!
 
Mate, sorry to hear about this, I couldn't imagine anything happening to my kit, an 18 year labour of love.

I hope something miraculous happens. But have u got a picture of them, in case any of us stumble across them. I imagine a lot of people are like me and trawl website upon website looking at drum gear.

Anyway, good luck, fella.
 
Mate, sorry to hear about this, I couldn't imagine anything happening to my kit, an 18 year labour of love.

I hope something miraculous happens. But have u got a picture of them, in case any of us stumble across them. I imagine a lot of people are like me and trawl website upon website looking at drum gear.

Anyway, good luck, fella.

+1...............please post a pic..................I search gear sites all the time, and pretty sure I'm not alone.....................if he lists the toms, one of us is bound to see them
 
yes, post pics.

You never know. A while back, someone posted about their drums being stolen, and a few weeks later someone posted about this killer deal they got on some drums. Eventually, 2 and 2 were put together, and the drums ended back with their rightful owner. Of course, the chance of that happening again are small, but you never know.
 
So sorry to hear about your loss. Yeah, definitely put pics up here and also make a post on the Pearl Drummers Forum as well with pics. Let us help you find the bastard. He's not going to be able to unload two toms by themselves without posting on eBay or Craigslist.
 
Thanks sucks so much! People suck sometimes. To the guy that took them they are not drums, but probably drug money for a quick fix, maybe? ugh! That poor GC associate probably realized as you spoke to him that he let the stolen drums slip away as well convincing the guy how valuable they were. Maybe that is why they haven't surfaced. The dude might be sitting on then. Don't give up! Post pictures ASAP.
 
Geez that sucks! Your car insurance should cover that if you have comprehensive. They should cover theft, vandalism etc. depending on your provider though.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the positive responses, it really means a lot to me.

@RockNGrohl I think you're right, it was just for drug money. He probably found a way to make some money right away somewhere else, found out it would be harder to make quick money from them and is sitting on them for now, or just ditched them somewhere.

@SteadyPocket As far as I can tell, he only took the toms and an empty cigarette pack that a bandmate left there. I didn't have any cymbals, or (thank god) my new Supraphonic or SuperSensitive in the van as they were at practice spaces at the time. Also, thanks for the tip, I will post on the pearl forum as well.

I forgot to mention, the night the drums were stolen was the night before I went into the studio to record a second LP with my band. So yeah, I didn't get to use them to record unfortunately.

Here is a picture! the kit is a C&C Player Date 1, in the bop sizes. The toms are 8x12 and 14x14, and the finish is Honey Lacquer. I absolutely love these drums, and getting a different kit or something is just out of the question: either I get these drums back, or I replace them with the same models.

Thanks again for the kind words everyone!
 

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Geez that sucks! Your car insurance should cover that if you have comprehensive. They should cover theft, vandalism etc. depending on your provider though.

Not for carriage of musical instruments sadly...they are a standard exemption from most insurances, even home insurance, and need to be added by endorsement.
They are especially difficult to cover when they are taken out of the house because the risk of theft and/or damage is so high. Hence the existance of specialist musical instrument coverage.

I'm talking from a UK perspective..it may be different in the US.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the positive responses, it really means a lot to me.

@RockNGrohl I think you're right, it was just for drug money. He probably found a way to make some money right away somewhere else, found out it would be harder to make quick money from them and is sitting on them for now, or just ditched them somewhere.

@SteadyPocket As far as I can tell, he only took the toms and an empty cigarette pack that a bandmate left there. I didn't have any cymbals, or (thank god) my new Supraphonic or SuperSensitive in the van as they were at practice spaces at the time. Also, thanks for the tip, I will post on the pearl forum as well.

I forgot to mention, the night the drums were stolen was the night before I went into the studio to record a second LP with my band. So yeah, I didn't get to use them to record unfortunately.

Here is a picture! the kit is a C&C Player Date 1, in the bop sizes. The toms are 8x12 and 14x14, and the finish is Honey Lacquer. I absolutely love these drums, and getting a different kit or something is just out of the question: either I get these drums back, or I replace them with the same models.

Thanks again for the kind words everyone!

Terrible break mate...I really sympathise with you.
 
This is indeed terribly upsetting. I'm sure balance will be restored though. Hopefully something coming your way that's good, & hopefully something coming the way of the scumbag that's bad.
 
The fact that the thief only took two items, the rack and floor toms ...... to me ..... that suggests he was on foot. Only took what he could carry. Circulate that photo of your drums to every music shop, pawn shop, etc. that you can. Keep diligent and watch eBay, Craigslist, and such. These items may still turn up. They may have already found a secondary home ...... and be sold again.​
Another thing you might consider .... lots of music shops, laundry mats, coffee shops ..... have community bulletin boards. Post a picture of your kit. Offer a reward. Might cost you a hundred bucks to get your drums back .... but at least you'd have 'em back.​
 
I would be very careful about transporting in the van again. Now the guy knows how valuable they are, he may try and get the rest of the kit. I am sure he now realizes that he cant really just sell the toms alone for any substantial amount.

Keep your eyes open, things turn up in the strangest places. Good luck.
 
I feel your pain. Mine were stolen about two years ago. I had hand picked them out from the factory in 1973. My insurance was decent as they were taken from my home and I have since replaced them (although with considerable difficulty). Good luck on your quest for recovery but realize you may have to move on.
 
This is indeed terribly upsetting. I'm sure balance will be restored though. Hopefully something coming your way that's good, & hopefully something coming the way of the scumbag that's bad.

I like that thought, Andy. Balanced will be restored. The spirit in the sky usually has a way of making that happen.
 
F@#n SCUMBAG!! Probably some crack head looking for some quick cash. Hope he tries to sell them again and gets caught. I hope you get them back in good condition, what a low life loser whoever it is that did this.
 
The fact that the thief only took two items, the rack and floor toms ...... to me ..... that suggests he was on foot. Only took what he could carry. Circulate that photo of your drums to every music shop, pawn shop, etc. that you can. Keep diligent and watch eBay, Craigslist, and such. These items may still turn up. They may have already found a secondary home ...... and be sold again.​
Another thing you might consider .... lots of music shops, laundry mats, coffee shops ..... have community bulletin boards. Post a picture of your kit. Offer a reward. Might cost you a hundred bucks to get your drums back .... but at least you'd have 'em back.​

Good advice from Harry.Stay proactive and post info and pics and a reward everywhere.Don't forget rehearsal studios and recording studios,live music venues that may furnish backline drums and PA.

In the US,insurance companies DO cover stolen property left in vehicles,depending on your individual coverage.

Having said that,thieves,to me are some of the lowest lif forms on the planet.I hate thieves...one of the reasons I became a cop.They are all knuckle dragging ,scumbag humanoids to me.

I see stuff like this all the time,when I was still in uniform,and on drum forums.I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you should NEVER,under any circumstances,leave anything in a vehicle.Thieves,wheither working alone,or in concert with others,actually patrol an area looking for an easy smash and grab.

Even covering stuff up with say a blanket,will attract a thiefs attention.It's just a brief 5-7 seconds,to break a window,open a door,and your stuff is gone.It is really that fast.Car radios,are gone in under 1 minute.

In truth also,depending on workload,these type of incidents,don't get a whole lot of police attention.Your case detective probably has a lot of open cases on his desk,and the focus is usually on closing a case,that has a chance of an arrest.

Right now,in most juristictions, felony grand larceny is $1,000 or more for a fourth degree crime.I don't know where you live,but major cities have similar dollar amounts.

In NY City,the NYPD would just take a report,and make a few phone calls,and that would be that,mainly because ,stolen property is rarely recovered,because it's fenced so quickly.The exception would be if the theft was part of a pattern of crimes.

It's just a matter of priorities unfortuneately.

I wish you all the luck in the world in getting you stuff back.Keep at it,because I have a feeling that this humanoid is stupid and desperate,which means he'll unload your drums,the very first chance he gets


Don't give up hope.You have the time to invest,where as, the police really don't.Best of luck

Steve B
 
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I would be very careful about transporting in the van again. Now the guy knows how valuable they are, he may try and get the rest of the kit. I am sure he now realizes that he cant really just sell the toms alone for any substantial amount.

Keep your eyes open, things turn up in the strangest places. Good luck.

No,actually,the Idea is to not keep anything,in the car/ van,ever.You never leave stuff in a vehicle.Always pack your gear out to where it lives,not in a car/van,no matter how tired you are.

After a lifetime living in NY City,and over 20 years in law enforcement,I can tell you,that's the only right thing to do,Period.

Steve B
 
I hate hearing stories like this.

I feel for you, man. I hope everything works out.

BTW, on the phone number thing your girlfriend suggested, it may be possible to get the guy's number if they know the date/approximate time he called. You can get a detailed call log from their phone company for that day. It may be a PITA to get but could be worth it.
 
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