ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A Pleasantville man has been arrested in connection with the theft of musical instruments belonging to members of the rock band Heart following a concert at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena last week, police said.
According to the Atlantic City Police Department, officers responded to the Hard Rock Atlantic City on May 30 after receiving a report that a guitar and mandolin had been stolen from inside the venue. The instruments belonged to Heart band members, who were performing at the time.
An investigation by Sergeant Gary Holmes and Detective Lisa Kaplin-Caldwell led to surveillance video identifying the suspect as 57-year-old Garfield Bennett. Investigators tracked Bennett as he moved through parts of Atlantic City attempting to sell the stolen instruments.
Detective Kaplin-Caldwell filed criminal charges against Bennett on June 4. Later that day, Officers Alex Torres and Glen Robinson located and arrested him on the first block of South Kentucky Avenue.
Police said Bennett successfully sold one of the stolen instruments. The location of the second remains unknown. Authorities have urged anyone in possession of the items to voluntarily surrender them to avoid criminal charges.
Charges filed; investigation ongoing
Bennett has been charged with burglary and theft and was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Hard Rock Atlantic City’s security team assisted detectives during the investigation.
“These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt,” the department noted. “In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
The Atlantic City Police Department is continuing to investigate and is asking anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Section or submit a tip anonymously via text.
