Caught On Tape: Pricey Custom Guitar Stolen From Shop In Chinatown

CHINATOWN (CBSLA.com)  —  Police are looking for a man who stole a pricey, custom guitar from a music shop in Chinatown.

The apparent theft was caught on tape.

CBS2's Greg Mills reported from the scene of the crime, Caveman Vintage Music Shop, 650 Spring Street.

The incident happened around 1 p.m. Saturday, Mills reported.

The suspect walked out with a guitar valued at around $1,100, police said.

The clerk told Mills the store was very busy, music was playing and he got a phone call -- all perfect distractions for a crime.

The suspect ended up taking the most expensive guitar, one that was near the door.

"He kinda milled around for a little bit and he waited for a busy moment," said employee Tobin Dale, "and then the phone rang and he grabbed the guitar and bolted for the door."

The clerk was on the other side of the counter and unable to chase the suspect. But he told Mills a patron did.

"He got a description of him from the back," said Dale, "I'd seen [the suspect] earlier. He hung out for a while."

The customer told the clerk the suspect got away on a bike.

If you recognize the suspect, you're asked to call police.