Latest news with #DavidLópezIbáñez
Metro
13 hours ago
- Metro
Manhunt for thief launched after £150,000 violin stolen from pub
A manhunt has been launched after a 285-year-old violin belonging to a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra was stolen from a London pub. Scotland Yard released CCTV footage to try to and identify a suspect in the alleged theft of the 'priceless' instrument from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street, Islington. Violinist David López Ibáñez, 30, told police it was worth more than £150,000 and was a loan for major concerts with the Philharmonia. The footage captured the moment a man with a light-coloured hat on allegedly snatches the violin in its black case from the north London boozer on February 18. The treasured violin was made by Florentine instrument maker Lorenzo Carcassi in 1740. It has a distinctive heart-shaped hole in the scroll and was kept in a black Riboni Unoeotto case, alongside three bows – including one with a mother-of-pearl tip – as well as white cotton bag made by David's late grandmother. David, originally from Spain, previously told Metro the 'rare' instrument they had played for eight years was 'worthless' to the thief, but 'priceless' to them. 'Instantly I felt like a part of me was gone,' they said. 'As a musician you have such a special bond with your instrument. It is a companion, it comes with you on your back all around the world.' They added: 'I moved to the UK to pursue a childhood dream of becoming a violinist and now my voice has been taken away from me. 'The violin sounds so in tune with me. I am so in tune with it. I feel like my life has been torn apart. I cannot fall asleep.' They said the loss was the 'stuff of nightmares'. 'There is nothing which could compare to this. This is up there with one of the worst things that can happen.' David has played the violin at London's most well-known concert venues, including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and Conway Hall. More Trending After the theft, the violinist has been forced to use a spare instrument in some performances. PC Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, told Metro: '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.' He added: 'It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it's priceless. 'Please help us find the person responsible and have the violin returned to its rightful owner.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Three arrested after 'draconian' police clash with pro Palestinian protesters in London MORE: Family's plea for truth after man shot dead in 'case of mistaken identity' MORE: Moment officer tells Christian street preacher 'it's all wrong' outside station
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- The Guardian
Metropolitan police appeal for help to recover 280-year-old violin worth £150,000
Police are appealing for help to recover a missing 285-year-old violin after it was allegedly stolen from a London pub. Detectives have been trying to find the instrument since 18 February, when the violin, valued at more than £150,000, went missing from the Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street. The victim reported the theft to the Metropolitan police that evening. It has previously been reported that David López Ibáñez, of the Philharmonia Orchestra, had been dining with a friend when the violin disappeared from his side. It had been loaned to him by a German businessman who wanted to help his career. Ibáñez told the BBC that his 'life was torn apart' after realising it was gone. He added: 'Your heart feels like it's going to explode.' PC Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, said on Monday: 'We … are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible. The victim, who is a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, has told us the piece is worth more than £150,000 and was made in Florence in 1740. '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.' The violin, made by Lorenzo Carcassi, was 'generously' loaned to Ibáñez to help him perform at major concerts with the Philharmonia. Also stolen were three bows, one with a mother of pearl tip. The alleged theft of the musical instrument has echoes of the disappearance of a 1696 Stradivarius worth £1.2m and two bows with a combined value of £67,000 from Euston station in 2010. The theft prompted a public appeal for help and the release of CCTV on BBC's Crimewatch. A man was jailed for four and a half years at Blackfriars crown court for the theft in 2011. There was a false lead suggesting the violin might be in Bulgaria – but that instrument turned out to be a replica training instrument. The real violin was eventually found at a property in the Midlands – intact with some 'very minor' damage.
