Guitar Stolen in House Burglary: Benfleet
(SS7 - Monday, 30 June, 2008)

Police are hoping that a unique guitar will strike a chord with local musicians and put them on the trail of thieves behind a recent burglary in Benfleet.

The Music Man Stingray bass guitar has a distinctive sunburst design on the bodywork graduating from black through differing shades of blue.

Said PC Richard Siggers said: "These guitars are more usually available in brighter colours but this one was hand painted by a friend of the owner and is the only known one in this style.

"Its distinctive appearance offers our best chance of recovering the instrument and tracing the thieves and I would appeal to anyone who has seen the guitar, or been offered it in suspicious circumstances, to contact me immediately at Benfleet CID on 0300 333 4444."

The guitar was among items worth almost £25,000 stolen from a house in Seamore Avenue overnight on the 26th and 27th June after thieves forced the front door. The suspects also got away with white Ford Transit van after first taking the keys from the premises, along with a mobile phone, wallet, watch and tools.

The image is for illustrative purposes only; it is of a Music Man Sting Ray guitar, but without the custom paint job.

Seamore Avenue
Benfleet
Essex
SS7