SUMMERSVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Authorities have reached out for the public’s assistance in locating a guitar which was stolen from a Summersville church last week.
The guitar’s owner Dennis Cherry, a Nicholas County school bus driver, first reported the instrument stolen on Thursday, November 24, 2022, indicating that it had been taken from a Summersville church along with two speakers.
The guitar, an 1977 acoustic Alvarez model 5044, had been in Cherry’s possession for nearly half a century and was the first guitar owned by the musician.
“I have owned this guitar for 45 years,” says Cherry. “The guitar means more to me than you will get for it.”
A shared photo shows Cherry with his granddaughter playing the guitar.
A handsome reward was initially offered for the safe return of the vintage instrument, with Cherry himself offering $500 no questions asked and various friends contributing to the fund until it reached $1300.
However, a Sunday update from Cherry seems to indicate that the cash reward is no longer on the table.
“The 1300 dollars that was available for the return of my guitar is no longer being offered,” read the statement. “I hope the new owner gets another 45 years of playing.”
The Summersville Police Department chimed in as well Sunday with a statement of their own calling for information which could lead to the instrument’s recovery.
“Someone knows where this man’s guitar is,” read the statement. “It needs to be returned, or provide us with the information and we’ll gladly go take it back.”
Similar pre-owned models of the instrument retail for between $200 and $600 with a number of factors including condition and year of manufacture contributing to the determination of value. Though in instances such as this, the sentimental value of an instrument of this kind is immeasurable.
Those with any information which could potentially lead to the recovery of Mr. Cherry’s guitar, a 1977 Alvarez model 5044, are encouraged to contact the Summersville Police Department at (304) 872-3313.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for Nicholas County can be found here.
