Expensive guitar thief gets slap on the wrist

[astro]

Men sentenced for guitar shop theft

Two men who pleaded guilty to stealing guitars once used by Faith Hill and Nicklelback were sentenced to probation on Friday.

Jeffrey Harry Lanahan, 44, an employee of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, was sentenced to five years probation and three months of house arrest for stealing from his employer. Michael Jay Kelly, 42, was sentenced to three years probation.

Both men have to undergo evaluation for drugs and alcohol, as well as pay restitution fees for the stolen guitars. Of the nearly $60,000 worth of guitars, all but $21,050 worth were recovered. Lanahan agreed to pay $21,050 in restitution, while Kelly will pay $5,000.

Police said Lanahan stole at least a dozen guitars from the Kent Island shop and gave them to Kelly. Kelly then gave the guitars to another man who sold them on eBay.

[Runs_With_Scissors]

@astro

Men sentenced for guitar shop theft

Oh, man. When I read the thread title, I was outraged.

Then I saw who originally owned the guitars.

Hey, a man’s gotta make a living.

Still, though, stealing is wrong…

[Rigamarole]

Err. They’re paying for them in full (actually more than full). I hardly call that a slap on the wrist.

[FairyChatMom]

I don’t see where *paying * for something you stole is a punishment. Then it just becomes a credit purchase. Probation does sound a little light - like little more than “time out” for adults. Maybe they apologized and promised never to steal again or somthing. :rolleyes:

[AskNott]

We don’t know the whole story, of course. I sure don’t. Paul Reed Smith Guitars is a small firm, though, and perhaps Lanahan is a valued employee. Something like, “Yes, he’s a junkie and a thief, but he’s the best luthier I’ve got.”

That’s just my wild guess. I’m not taking sides.