Modesto police arrest 3 for trying to sell stolen guitar on Craigslist

A stolen $2,500 bass guitar that turned up for sale on the Internet was returned to its owner after police posed as potential buyers, authorities said.

A Stambaugh bass was stolen out of a Jeep Cherokee on May 24 in the 500 block of Capistrano Drive, said police spokesman Sgt. Brian Findlen.

The guitar’s owner went online and found the instrument listed for sale on Craigslist for $1,000, with pictures of the guitar posted on MySpace. The owner alerted police.

The owner confirmed that the custom-made guitar was his by looking at the photos on MySpace.

Officers contacted the person who posted the Craigslist ad and posed as potential buyers. Officers set up a meeting to buy the instrument at the Jack in the Box restaurant on Yosemite Boulevard at Santa Cruz Avenue.

Police arrested Andrew Arnold, 20, on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime and probation violation. Two 15-year-old boys, who police said were suspected co-conspirators of Arnold’s, were arrested suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime.