Trio of guitars stolen from music shop

Napier's Music Machine owner Richard Jackman is desperate to get his three guitars stolen from their store to be returned. Photo/Duncan Brown

Staff at the Music Machine in Napier are reeling after three guitars were stolen in an early morning robbery on Sunday.

One of these guitars alone was valued at $5500 with all three adding up to about $8000 retail.

Owner Richard Jackman said this was the first break-in since they had moved to their Hastings St location and he was hoping to get the guitars back to where they belonged.

"The orange Gretzky Chet Atkins with a flame maple top is pretty rare and there wouldn't be many about in New Zealand. It should stand out to people if sold on or something."

Also stolen was a blue D'angelico.

Video footage showed the man, who was thought to be wearing a balaclava or mask, enter the store after midnight.

"I could see he jimmied the back door before running in and grabbing the three different guitars."

Mr Jackman received a call from security and was down there within eight minutes but was too late to see the man.

"It wasn't good but at the end of the day no one was hurt and I think I was actually fortunate to not see him as who knows what could have happened then."

Staff at the bar next door heard banging noises but didn't see anyone when they went out to see what was going on, and the overspill from the Wind Sock pub had produced a lot of background noise.

"I think that's why when the alarm went off there wasn't a major disturbance in town."

Mr Jackman said YinYoga and Te Manawa Massage Therapy had also been broken into, however nothing had been stolen.

"I don't know whether they were trying to get into our store or not but they must have been on a rampage that night as a car was also broken into."

Meanwhile another rare collection of guitars were stolen from an address on Bluff Hill in Napier and the owner has taken to social media in hope of getting them returned.

The owner said they all had some sort of unique features and customisation and he pleaded for them to be given back.

The stolen goods had been reported to police. Anyone had information should contact Hawke's Bay police on 06 831 0700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.