Lost And Replaced
3
Upbeat ending for young musicians who had guitars stolen
Upbeat ending for young musicians who had guitars stolen
Family has received offers from across the province to have guitars replaced
By Joseph Tunney, CBC News Posted: Aug 17, 2017 7:00 AM AT Last Updated: Aug 17, 2017 7:22 AM AT
![]()
Ben Grant, left, and his brother Sam, right, wanted to meet and say thank you to the man who helped share their story of their guitars being stolen on social media: Warren Beatteay, middle. Beatteay's post was shared nearly 1,000 times in 36 hours. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)
Two young boys visiting Saint John from the United States have had their faith in people somewhat restored.
Sam and Ben Grant, 12 and 10, say they felt "sorrow" when they awoke Monday to learn someone had broken into their van overnight and stolen two of their guitars.
But now, after a social media post gained traction, they've had three offers from New Brunswickers to replace the stolen instruments.
![]()
'It's a good way to see that this world is still good.'
00:00 00:50
'It's a good way to see that this world is still good.'0:50
"It's turned into an OK experience," Sam said. "Even though our stuff is probably still gone, forever.
"Everyone's reached out to us. It's a good way to see that this world is still good."
"Also, we're on the news," Ben chimed in later.
One guitar has a red leaf pattern and a built-in equalizer. The second is black and covered with stickers, including a "handle with care" sticker over the battery compartment.
The family has filed a report with Saint John police and travelled Tuesday to several of the pawn shops checking for the stolen instruments, using the trip as an unconventional tour of the city.
Warren Beatteay is a friend of the boys' aunt and a musician himself. When he heard their story, he was immediately sympathetic, having had his own drum set stolen in the past, and posted about the boys' experience on social media.
"I was hoping for 25 or 30 shares," he said.
Instead of 30 shares, though, Beatteay received almost 1,000 in 36 hours.
![]()
Ben, left, and Sam Grant say they're hopeful their beloved guitars will be returned to them. Tuesday they travelled to many of the pawn shops in Saint John looking for the instruments. (submitted by Steven Grant.)
The boys are travelling to visit their father's family, who originally hails from Saint John.
Their family has turned down the offers they've received because they have other instruments back home — and they say if they're going to buy new guitars, they'd like to go shopping themselves.
While the guitars are still unaccounted for, Beatteay is pleased that the sad tale has had a somewhat upbeat ending.
"You know, if there's a way these guys can get their stuff back before they head back, that's great," he said. "But if not, they know now that the community is welcoming them, taking care of them."
The family heads to Calgary on Friday.
Upbeat ending for young musicians who had guitars stolen
Family has received offers from across the province to have guitars replaced
By Joseph Tunney, CBC News Posted: Aug 17, 2017 7:00 AM AT Last Updated: Aug 17, 2017 7:22 AM AT
Ben Grant, left, and his brother Sam, right, wanted to meet and say thank you to the man who helped share their story of their guitars being stolen on social media: Warren Beatteay, middle. Beatteay's post was shared nearly 1,000 times in 36 hours. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)
Two young boys visiting Saint John from the United States have had their faith in people somewhat restored.
Sam and Ben Grant, 12 and 10, say they felt "sorrow" when they awoke Monday to learn someone had broken into their van overnight and stolen two of their guitars.
But now, after a social media post gained traction, they've had three offers from New Brunswickers to replace the stolen instruments.
'It's a good way to see that this world is still good.'
00:00 00:50
'It's a good way to see that this world is still good.'0:50
"It's turned into an OK experience," Sam said. "Even though our stuff is probably still gone, forever.
"Everyone's reached out to us. It's a good way to see that this world is still good."
"Also, we're on the news," Ben chimed in later.
One guitar has a red leaf pattern and a built-in equalizer. The second is black and covered with stickers, including a "handle with care" sticker over the battery compartment.
The family has filed a report with Saint John police and travelled Tuesday to several of the pawn shops checking for the stolen instruments, using the trip as an unconventional tour of the city.
Warren Beatteay is a friend of the boys' aunt and a musician himself. When he heard their story, he was immediately sympathetic, having had his own drum set stolen in the past, and posted about the boys' experience on social media.
"I was hoping for 25 or 30 shares," he said.
Instead of 30 shares, though, Beatteay received almost 1,000 in 36 hours.
Ben, left, and Sam Grant say they're hopeful their beloved guitars will be returned to them. Tuesday they travelled to many of the pawn shops in Saint John looking for the instruments. (submitted by Steven Grant.)
The boys are travelling to visit their father's family, who originally hails from Saint John.
Their family has turned down the offers they've received because they have other instruments back home — and they say if they're going to buy new guitars, they'd like to go shopping themselves.
While the guitars are still unaccounted for, Beatteay is pleased that the sad tale has had a somewhat upbeat ending.
"You know, if there's a way these guys can get their stuff back before they head back, that's great," he said. "But if not, they know now that the community is welcoming them, taking care of them."
The family heads to Calgary on Friday.
