Tom Petty's Stolen Guitars Returned; Security Guard Arrested

Five precious guitars owned by Tom Petty that were stolen last week were returned to their rightful owner Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, Culver City police arrested a private security guard named Daryl Emmette Washington, 51. He was working at the Culver Studios lot, which houses a soundstage where Petty was rehearsing with his band the Heartbreakers for an upcoming tour.

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“I am extremely grateful to the Culver City Police Department for a job well done and touched by the outpouring of good wishes and concern from our fans and friends,” said Petty in a statement provided to THR.

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The stolen guitars, collectively worth an estimated $100,000, included Petty’s 1967 12-string Rickenbacker and a Gibson SGTV Junior along with Mike Campbell’s blue Dusenberg, Ron Blair’s Fender Broadcaster and Scott Thurston’s 1967 Epiphone Sheridan. One musician likened the loot to “a fleet of vintage Rolls-Royces.”

Washington allegedly tried to pawn one of the guitars in Hollywood for $250, which provided a break in the case.

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On the band’s website and Facebook page, Petty and crew offered a “no questions asked” $7,500 reward for information leading to the return of the instruments. It's unclear whether the reward will be paid out and to whom. 

Twitter: @THRMusic