Guitar Stolen In 2009 Recovered

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Central Texas police officer who knows his way around guitars has helped recover an instrument stolen in 2009 from a musician after a show.

Austin police on Tuesday returned the specially made Gibson guitar to Walt Wilkins.

Police say the custom guitar is made of wood from an Army barracks in Marfa. Three such guitars were made, with the others given to country great Willie Nelson and to ex-TV anchorman Dan Rather.

Austin police Detective Jay Swann, who also builds guitars, noticed an ad on the Internet about an instrument for sale. Investigators suspected the guitar might have been stolen and set up a sting on Saturday to buy the item.

The guitar was safely recovered.

Austin police say no charges were immediately filed. The investigation continues.