Thief Silences San Jose State Marching Band

Spartan musicians are playing sad tune this holiday season.

A Christmas Grinch stole several instruments the San Jose State University marching band had in storage. Six alto saxophones, two tenor saxes and two trombones and possibly some smaller pieces, including chimes and triangles, were taken from two locked storage trucks, officials said.

Band director Scott Pierson discovered the theft Friday. He estimates it will cost $20,000 to replace the instruments. Insurance won't cover the loss, he's been told.

Pierson is hoping that donations will help pay for new instruments. The band won't need the instruments until it begins rehearsing for the football season in August.

Campus police say they're following up on leads, but no arrests have been made.