Morgan Hill police are looking to find the thieves who ripped off a Led Zeppelin cover band on Sunday, after the Los Angeles-based group was in town for some South Bay gigs.
Sgt. Troy Hoefling said the classic rock group, Led Zepagain, was staying at the Microtel Inn and Suites on Condit Road, when they woke up to find that their musical equipment had been stolen from their van. They called police about 9:30 a.m.
"We were victims of one of the worst crimes a band could face," Brenda Wootten, wife of bass player Jim Wootten, wrote on the band's website. "Tens of thousands of dollars of music gear was stolen...The alarm was cut and years of investment and sentimental value was lifted from the van."
Hoefling said detectives suspect the burglary was pre-planned because of the amount that was stolen, including drums, guitars, amplifiers, microphones, and cables. Detectives believe that the band was followed from one of their previous gigs in Gilroy and Redwood City over the weekend.
There was no sign of forced entry into the van, and police aren't sure how the suspects got inside.
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Morgan Hill police are using this opportunity to remind people not to leave valuables in vehicles whether locked or not. If suspects can see something of value in your vehicle and they want it, they will use whatever means necessary, including damaging locks, breaking windows or cutting convertible tops. Park in a well lit areas, ask your hotel if they have surveillance cameras, and if they are recorded.
Guitarist Steve Zukowsky, who grew up in Palo Alto, told NBC Bay Area that the band is "cautiously optomistic" that the equipment will show up because it is so recognizable. But the entire ordeal has made the band think hard about leaving their gear outside. "We just weren't careful enough," he said.
If you want to check out the band, here's a YouTube video.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Detective Scott Martin at the Morgan Hill Police Department 408-779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at 408-947-STOP (7867).
Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-432-4758 or lisa.fernandez@nbcuni.com. Follow her at Twitter.com/ljfernandez.
