Craig Cawley ... happy to be reunited with his stolen guitar

An expensive guitar stolen two month's ago from a Whanganui music store has been recovered after it came back into the shop for repairs.

"I couldn't believe it," an astonished Craig Cawley of the Gatshack said yesterday.

"I was out the back making a coffee when a guy came in on Saturday wanting a new string.

"I recognised the guitar and was able to match the serial number with the box we still have here."

The white Squire electric jazzmaster guitar, worth almost $2000, was stolen in a brazen grab and run in May.

Security footage of the offender who ran off with the guitar in May.

"He was in an out within 10 seconds. I have MS so could not chase after him."

Cawley posted security camera footage on social media and despite 47,000 views the heavily disguised offender has yet to be found.

"The guy who bought the guitar in was not the the guy who stole it," Cawley said.
"He looked completely stunned and I could tell from his body language he had no idea the guitar was stolen.

"He said he bought it from a mate.

"After seeing the serial numbers he shook my hand then ran out of the shop."
The matter is now with police.

"If he's got any sense he'll come clean - he's on the security footage as well."

Security video of the May robbery .