Stolen violins recovered in Montreal 16 years later
Violin marked "Stradivarius" and dated 1685
Quebec provincial police have recovered two missing and potentially valuable violins in Montreal.
The violins were stolen from the trunk of a car on Ste-Catherine Street 16 years ago.
Sgt. Claude Denis of the Sûreté du Québec said that the SQ/RCMP Integrated Art Crime Investigation Team received a tip earlier this year that led them to a home on Henri-Julien Street.
Denis said they found two violins inside a closet during a raid at the residence last week.
One of the violins is marked "Stradivarius" and dated 1685.
The violins' original owner — who has chosen to remain anonymous — said he paid a total of $56,000 for the two instruments.
However, investigators don't know if the one marked "Stradivarius" is authentic or a copy.
The violins are still in the possession of police.
Police say the 50-year-old suspect will likely face criminal charges, but the investigation is ongoing.
The suspect is known to police.