Renowned musician gets back stolen guitars thanks to store employee

A Macon blues legend received some good news Friday that several of his stolen guitars were found.

Robert Lee Coleman’s pleas to find his vehicle and instruments were shared on Facebook, which may have played a role in an employee at a local store noticing the guitars. Earlier in the day, Coleman posted on Facebook that his 1998 green Chevrolet Astro van was stolen out of Unionville late Thursday, and inside the van were three guitars and an amplifier.

Fortunately, Coleman received a call Friday that the guitars had been recovered at the Guitar Center after two people attempted to sell them. An employee recognized the guitars and stalled until Bibb County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the store, he said.

“Got the three guitars back. I’m happy with that right now,” Coleman said Friday afternoon. “One of them had my name on it so they knew it was mine anyway.”

Lt. Randy Gonzalez said that two people who attempted to sell the guitars at the 4551 Billy Williamson Drive store were being interviewed by investigators Friday afternoon.

Anyone with information on the theft or whereabouts of the van is urged to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 877-68-CRIME.

Liz Fabian contributed to this report

This story was originally published May 26, 2017 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Renowned musician gets back stolen guitars thanks to store employee."