A startling and unusually personal theft case out of Teaneck has captured the attention of musicians, collectors, and law enforcement across New Jersey, after two highly sought-after vintage mandolins were stolen from a local music shop and quietly returned days later with a blunt handwritten apology.
Just days before the Christmas holiday, Lark Street Music, a well-known destination for rare and collectible string instruments, became the scene of a crime that would quickly ripple across social media and ultimately lead to an unexpected conclusion. Surveillance footage from inside the store shows a man calmly browsing before suddenly concealing two prized mandolins beneath his coat and walking out without paying.
The stolen instruments were not ordinary merchandise. One was a 1949 Gibson F-12, a post-war era mandolin prized by collectors for its craftsmanship, tone, and historical value. The second was a Weber Yellowstone mandolin, another premium instrument favored by professional musicians and serious enthusiasts. Together, the pair carried a combined market value estimated between $8,000 and $9,000, making the theft particularly significant within New Jersey’s tight-knit vintage music community.
Store owner Buzzy Levine quickly shared surveillance images in hopes of identifying the suspect, and the footage rapidly gained traction online. As the video circulated, it drew millions of views and ignited widespread discussion, with musicians and collectors across the region sharing the post and expressing outrage over the theft of such rare pieces. The mounting public attention placed intense pressure on whoever was responsible.
Four days later, that pressure appeared to have its effect. The suspect returned to Lark Street Music under the cover of routine business traffic. Rather than entering the shop, he reportedly left two shopping bags outside containing the stolen mandolins and immediately fled the area. Levine attempted to pursue him down the street but was unable to catch him.
Inside the bags, alongside the unharmed instruments, was a handwritten note scrawled on graph paper that read, “SORRY, I BEEN DRUNK, MERRY CHRISTMAS. You are good man.” The message, as blunt as it was unexpected, added a surreal and deeply human layer to a case that had already attracted widespread attention. I wonder if ‘he been drunk’ when he wrote that letter considering that grammar.
Although the mandolins were returned without damage, the Teaneck Police Department has confirmed that the investigation remains active. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the suspect, and there is growing speculation that the same individual may be connected to another high-value theft involving luxury handbags in nearby Englewood. No formal charges have been announced at this time.
Levine later described the ordeal as feeling like something pulled from a made-for-television drama, noting that he firmly believes the overwhelming public response and social media exposure played a decisive role in the instruments being returned. The episode has since become a cautionary tale within the local retail and music communities, highlighting both the risks faced by specialty shops and the powerful role online visibility can play in modern investigations.
As law enforcement continues its work, the incident now stands as one of the more unusual New Jersey theft cases in recent memory, blending crime, viral media, and an oddly personal apology into a story that resonated well beyond Bergen County. For continued coverage on law and public safety stories across the state, readers can follow related updates in the Sunset Daily News Law & Order section.
