MILWAUKEE, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The anonymous owner of a 300-year-old violin stolen last week in Milwaukee said she's happy its musician-caretaker was not seriously injured in the theft.
Frank Almond, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster and caretaker for what's known as the Lipinski Stradivarius violin, was attacked in a parking lot Jan. 27 after a concert. The assailant used a stun gun to disable Almond and took the violin, which experts have valued at about $3 million.
The violin was crafted in 1715 in Cremona, Italy. Its namesake is a previous owner, the famed Polish violinist Karol Lipinski.
The instrument's owner, known only as "Char" wrote to Almond after the theft, saying she was glad he was not seriously injured, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday.
"Due to my devastation at the attack on you, Frank, and the theft of the violin, I feel compelled to write this," the owner said in a posting on Almond's blog. "First, I'm so happy that you are safe.
"Frank, I could never have guessed that after all you have done, you would be physically attacked. I'm so sorry."
A $100,000 reward has been offered for the violin's return.
Though its value is substantial, law enforcement has said it will be difficult for the robber to cash in because the community of people who would pay such a significant sum aren't likely to do so if they know the instrument is stolen.
