Rare Mandolins Worth $9,000 Stolen from Teaneck’s Iconic “Lark Street Music”

The suspect reportedly entered the shop and engaged an employee in a brief conversation about a guitar

photo courtesy of the Teaneck Police

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TEANECK, NJ — A legendary music store that has served the likes of Johnny Cash, the Rolling Stones, and AC/DC is asking for the public’s help after a brazen shoplifter made off with two rare mandolins worth nearly $9,000.

The theft occurred on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at Lark Street Music on Cedar Lane. Surveillance footage captured an unidentified man, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a long winter coat, methodically removing the high-end instruments from the wall and slipping them into oversized interior pockets before walking out the door.

---

🎻 The Stolen Instruments: What to Look For

Store owner Bernard “Buzzy” Levine is urging collectors, pawn shops, and musicians to keep an eye out for these specific, highly recognizable models:

1. 1949 Gibson F-12 (Serial #A2985): A vintage masterpiece from the late 40s. These are rare finds in the acoustic world and carry a significant historical value.

2. Weber Yellowstone (Serial #9360302): A premium modern mandolin known for its high-quality craftsmanship and distinct sound.

“You will not see them in the average music store,” Levine told local news. “One is a modern one, but there’s not many around. The other is from 1949… pretty nice things.”

---

🎥 The “Big Coat” Heist

The suspect reportedly entered the shop and engaged an employee in a brief conversation about a guitar. Once the employee’s back was turned, the man moved to the mandolin section.

Levine, who has operated the shop since 1981, initially thought the instruments had simply been misplaced by another customer. It wasn’t until a thorough search of the store came up empty that he checked the security feed and saw the suspect “puttering around” before concealing the two instruments in his coat.

---

A Store for the Stars

Lark Street Music is more than just a local shop; it is a North Jersey institution. Since moving to Teaneck from Albany in 1999, it has become a destination for world-class musicians, including:

• Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

• Sheryl Crow

• Robert Plant

• Conan O’Brien

Despite the high-profile theft, Levine remains optimistic. He recalled a similar incident 15 years ago where two stolen guitars were eventually recovered—even though one took 12 years to find its way back home.

---

🚨 How You Can Help

The Teaneck Police Department and Chief Andrew McGurr are currently investigating the incident. If you have seen these instruments for sale online (Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, eBay) or recognize the man in the surveillance footage, please reach out.

• Teaneck Police: 201-837-2600

• Bergen County Crime Stoppers: 844-466-6789 (Tips can be made anonymously at bergencrimestoppers.org).

Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]