A Columbia Station family is fighting to have a family heirloom guitar returned, after it was stolen from their home several months ago.
Richard Anderson told newsnet5.com his families classic 1960's Epiphone hollow body guitar was taken from his home in Dec. 2015 during a burglary, along with thousands of dollars in other heirlooms.
The guitar turned up weeks later after the Lorain County Sheriff's Department said it was sold to Guitar Center in North Olmsted for $3,000.
Police said 24 year old Brandon Thomas was arrested and convicted on a charge of stolen property, other items taken from Anderson's house were recovered from the Thomas home.
Anderson said police and Guitar Center told him the family guitar would be returned after court documents were released, but weeks later Anderson discovered Guitar Center in North Olmsted sold the heirloom to a customer in California.
"They told me they could legally sell my guitar if it wasn't picked-up after a certain number of days, but I was never given a warning," said Anderson. "As far as I'm concerned they sold stolen property."
The Lorain County Sheriff's Department explained Ohio law wouldn't let them take the guitar into evidence, even though it was part of an on-going case.
newsnet5.com contacted Guitar Center for comment on this case, but our calls were not returned.
Anderson said he is considering a civil lawsuit against Guitar Center, and explained the Lorain County Prosecutor is now looking into the case.
