Dear Musicians, Music Lovers and Friends -

I am a long-time friend of Keith. His family provided me with photos and inventory list and I’ve been able to match the list to the photos.

A description of the crime and photographs of the instruments can be seen at the URL below (sorry, I don't know how to make this a link):

http://www.sacpd.org/newsroom/releases/liveview.aspx?release_id=20090714-146

Unfortunately the published list of the stolen instruments contains several errors. An updated list is provided below.

Flatiron F-hole Mandolin, Ebony, s/n 93071686

Carvin Thin-line AC375 Acoustic, Natural (Vintage Yellow), s/n 445241014

Carvin CL450 Classical, Sunburst, s/n 445775975

Gibson J-180EC Acoustic, Ebony, s/n 00263003

Takamine Santa Fe Acoustic, Natural, s/n 93121043

Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus Electric, Honeyburst Maple Flametop, s/n 31602

Jackson JS Dinky Electric, Blue/White Diamond, s/n 6717

Fender Telecaster Electric, Teal w/White Pick Guard, s/n unknown

Kaman or Applause GTX 4-String Bass Electric, Black/Smoke Gray, s/n unknown

Fender? Telecaster Electric, Medium Brown Stained Wood, s/n unknown

Gibson (or clone) Les Paul Custom Electric, Ebony w/Gold Hardware, s/n unknown

Unknown Dreadnought Acoustic, Natural, s/n unknown

The location of the Deering banjo and Mitchell MD-100 acoustic are known.

Should you locate any of the instruments listed above, please contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. If you'd rather not talk to the police, please contact me.

Thank you for your help.

Derek Rutz
derek.rutz@coherent.com

The link above contains additional information and pictures.

The good folks at Carvin have provided the correct serial numbers:

• Carvin Thin-line AC375 Acoustic, Natural (Vintage Yellow), s/n 63329
• Carvin CL450 Classical, Sunburst, s/n 67226

Should you locate any of the instruments listed above, please contact Detective Bryce Heinlein at (916) 433-0688, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP, or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. If you'd rather not talk to the police, please contact me directly (email address below).

Thank you.

derek.rutz@coherent.com

Because of a tip or tips provided by you, two low-life scumbags have been charged in the murder of my friend. These guys tried to sell you some gear, and you called it in!

http://www.sacpd.org/newsroom/releases/liveview.aspx?release_id=20090917-200

Thank you for your condolences, but most importantly for keeping an eye out for my friends stuff. While this case still has a long road ahead, at least the bad guys are behind bars. I don’t know if some or all of his gear was recovered (as that’s part of the investigation), so all I ask is that if you should locate any of his stuff, please contact me or the Sacramento Police.

Thanks, Friends!

Derek