'Priceless' Stradivarius violin stolen in armed robbery in Milwaukee

[Jesus Malverde]

A 300-year-old Stradivarius violin on loan to Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Frank Almond was stolen during an armed robbery after a performance by Almond at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said Tuesday.

Almond was attacked with a stun gun and robbed of the instrument — Flynn said it was valued in the "high seven figures" — shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday in a parking lot in the rear of the school, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave., the chief said at a news conference.

As Almond lay on the pavement the robber fled to a nearby vehicle, described as a maroon or burgundy minivan driven by an accomplice, which then left the scene, Flynn said.

Almond had played a concert Monday evening at Wisconsin Lutheran as part of his Frankly Music series.

"The artistic heritage of Milwaukee was assaulted and robbed last night," Flynn told reporters during the conference at the Police Administration Building.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/stradivarius-violin-stolen-in-armed-robbery-in-milwaukee-b99193907z1-242463151.html

[frazzled]

1. Must've been a hit for a private buyer

Because there's no way you could ever fence that instrument on the market.

Very sad: who would assault a musician like that?