Originally reported on Sunday, Royce Rich, a Canadian concert violinist and student at the Glenn Gould School, first noticed his violin went missing after exiting Toronto’s St. Clair station on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Toronto police updated the file to a possible theft investigation after TTC Cameras captured an unknown man travelling with the TTC with a red BAM violin case, which appears to be the same one that was lost.
Toronto police have confirmed that the violin was recovered yesterday. A taxi driver found the instrument near Islington station.
In a statement to the Toronto Star, Rich said losing his violin was his “worst nightmare come true.”
“When the detective phoned me, no words. I was just in awe. I was in disbelief, yet relieved. I had hoped that I would find it by Wednesday at the latest, because you know, it’s Christmastime,” he said.
Rich is currently on vacation in Vancouver with his family and will collect his violin when he returns to Toronto in the New Year.
Police are still looking for information leading to the suspect seen in photos.
The man is in his 50s and is seen wearing a grey winter jacket, blue jeans and a white toque.
The suspect was last seen on Friday, December 18, 2020, exiting Dufferin Station with the violin on his back. He was also seen the next day in the subway.
Investigators from 13 Division ask for anyone who recognizes the man to contact them with information at 416-808-1300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.
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