$100,000 Reward offered in stolen Stradivarius violin

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announced they are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the stolen Lipinski Stradivarius. The violin was stolen from concertmaster Frank Almond on January 27th following a performance at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra President Mark Niehaus says, \"We are hopeful that this reward will aid in the recovery of this priceless treasure so that it may be enjoyed by Milwaukee's cultural community and the international arts world for years to come.\"

Police say the armed robbery took place at about 10:20 p.m. in a parking lot near the rear of the campus. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Frank Almond was approached by two suspects and tased. Almond dropped the violin, and one of the suspects stole the expensive violin. The victim reported to police the suspects were a man and a woman. No other description of the suspects were released by police.

According to police, the suspects had a vehicle standing by. The vehicle the suspects were seen driving away from the scene in is a late 1980's or early 1990's maroon Plymouth or Dodge Minivan.

The Lipinski Stradivarius has been on indefinite loan to Almond from an anonymous owner, and was secured according to industry standard at the time of the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at 414-226-7838.