£2,400 of equipment stolen from Shrewsbury musician
A gigging musician has been left in the lurch after thieves stole his equipment from inside his locked car in Shrewsbury.
James Hickman, 40, left his PA system, worth £2,400, in his car, which was parked outside his house in Belle Vue.
But on waking early on Monday morning he found that it had all been stolen, with no sign of how the thieves gained entrance to his car.
James, who plays in a duo with Dan Cassidy, brother of the late Songbird singer Eva, has been left upset by the theft and has taken to social media in a bid to get his equipment back.
He said: "I went to bed at around 10.30pm on Sunday night and I know that everything was alright then. But when I woke up the following morning I noticed that something was wrong.
"I went out to check and the car was still locked but everything had gone. I called the police and they told me that there are gadgets that people can buy on the internet which can open cars remotely. I think that must be what happened here.
"Three FBT MaxX2a speakers were taken along with a Spirit FX 8 channel mixing desk. In a green soft bag there were black leads (one purple, one brown) with SM58 beta and SM58 mic, and in a little black suitcase were a JDR Radial DI Box, LR Baggs DI Box, Vovox lead jack to jack, two Boss tuning pedals and mic stands and speaker stands. It was all worth around £2,400."
James, who also teaches guitar, has now been left with no means to perform, although friends have rallied round and offered equipment for him to borrow.
He is due to take part in a student concert at the Henry Tudor House next month and had planned on using the gear for that but will now rely on the the generosity of his friends.
"I was insured so hopefully the insurance company will pay out," he said.
Anyone with information about the theft or who is offered any of the equipment should contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
