Pictured: Suspect in £150k violin theft
Police have released images of the suspected thief of a £150,000 violin stolen from a pub.
David Lopez Ibanez, a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra and the instrument's owner, said his life had been 'torn apart' since the theft of the 285-year-old instrument.
The Spanish classical musician, 30, was out for a meal with a friend in Canonbury, north London, following rehearsals when it was stolen.
The Metropolitan Police are now hoping new CCTV they have released will help track down the violin, which was made by Lorenzo Carcassi, a Florentine artisan.
It had been passed down to musicians for two centuries before a businessman in Germany bought it and loaned it to Mr Ibanez after seeing him play online.
'It lived 300 years prior to my hands touching it. It's got its own history,' Mr Ibanez said. 'Each hour, each performance, each challenge you get to know each other more and you express yourself through it.'
The 'priceless' instrument, recognisable by a distinctive heart shape cut out into the scroll at the top of the instrument, was taken from the bench he was sitting on.
'You get taught from a very early age to take such good care of it. Nothing prepares you for having it snatched away,' he added. 'My life was torn apart. Your heart feels like it's going to explode.'
PC Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, said: 'We've been working hard to try and locate the suspect and are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible.
'It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it's priceless.
'Please help us find the person responsible and have the violin returned it to its rightful owner.'
Anyone with any information was urged to come forward.
Previously, Richard White, from JP Guivier, a london-based luthier, said the violin would be worth nothing to the thief because he would know not to sell it.
'As long as we know about the instrument, which we do,' he told the BBC. 'If that violin comes into us for sale, it will not leave the shop.'
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