Police in Atlantic City Recover Heart’s Nancy Wilson’s Stolen Guitar

Police in Atlantic City said on Tuesday, June 10, they had recovered one of two priceless instruments owned by members of the rock band Heart. The instruments were stolen from a New Jersey venue in Atlantic City two weeks ago as the group began its nationwide tour.

Police noted that they recovered band member Nancy Wilson's custom-made Telecaster guitar from a woman who purchased it from an alleged suspect of the theft. A vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin has not been located.

Detectives said surveillance video showed the suspect giving the Telecaster to a woman. The woman put the guitar in her vehicle parked several blocks from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where the theft occurred.

According to an Associated Press report, police used automated license plate readers to identify the vehicle, track its location, and contact the owner. The individual voluntarily surrendered the guitar, police said. The person the woman allegedly bought the guitar from has been charged with burglary and theft.

The band's equipment had been set up at the Hard Rock Hotel on May 30. Heart planned to kick off its "An Evening With Heart" tour there on May 31.

Wilson and her sister, Ann, co-lead Heart and have been performing together since the 1970s. Their hits have included “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” and “Alone.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023.