Young U.S. guitar players hope to have stolen instruments returned

Two young musicians from the U.S., visiting family in New Brunswick, had a rude awakening Monday when they discovered their van had been broken into overnight and their two favourite guitars stolen.

Michael Grant and sons Ben and Sam live in New York City, but Michael was born in Saint John and visits regularly.

Accustomed to an urban centre as large as New York, Michael didn't expect such a theft on this part of the East Coast.

"It sort of sucks," he said of the incident, which happened near Forest Hills.

"But we were able to see a lot of the city today, going around, visiting all the pawn shops. Everybody there was really great about it."

They brothers said they left the van unlocked after taking other electronics into the house. Someone in the neighbourhood told Michael about possibly seeing the thief in the act.

One guitar has a red leaf pattern and a built-in equalizer. The second is black and covered with stickers, including a "handle with care" sticker over the battery compartment.

Ben, 10, and Sam Grant, 12, both play and are in a band called Poke the Bear. 

Both have been playing for a few years.

Sentimental value

"I played at Carnegie Hall with my school," Sam said.

"I think they're pretty good," their father said. 

I'm not going to let this ruin this trip completely.- Michael Grant, father of musical brothers

For Ben, it's not the price of the guitars that matters.

"The one that we got with the stickers, it didn't cost much," he said. "We got it in an auction for like $30. We've had it for a while. So it's kind of, sentimental value."

The boys are in Saint John until the end of the week and their father has made an official report with the Saint John police.

And with lots of social media traction following a friend's post, the family is staying optimistic.

"I'm not going to let this ruin this trip completely," Michael said. "We're sort of hopeful."