Stolen Eddie Van Halen guitar valued at more than $100K returned to S.A.'s Hard Rock Cafe

According to police, the thief walked into a side door of the Hard Rock Cafe in the 100 block of West Crockett Street sometime Thursday night and snagged the guitar. According to police, the thief walked into a side door of the Hard Rock Cafe in the 100 block of West Crockett Street sometime Thursday night and snagged the guitar. Photo: Ken Branca Photo: Ken Branca Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Stolen Eddie Van Halen guitar valued at more than $100K returned to S.A.'s Hard Rock Cafe 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Update at 11:17 a.m.: Officials with Hard Rock International said the stolen Eddie Van Halen guitar has been safely returned to the restaurant. They are now working with local authorities investigating the incident.

Original story: A thief walked into the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown San Antonio Friday morning, grabbed an iconic Eddie Van Halen guitar off the wall and then walked out.

Now, authorities are searching for the suspect and the prized guitar, which is valued at more than $100,000 and was signed and donated to the restaurant by Van Halen in 2004.

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According to police, the thief walked into a side door of the Hard Rock Cafe in the 100 block of West Crockett Street sometime Thursday or early Friday morning and snagged the guitar.

Nobody in the restaurant witnessed the theft, police said. It wasn't until 1 a.m. that an employee noticed the guitar was missing while closing up shop.

The guitar, known as the "Frankenstrat," is one of several that Van Halen had custom built for him over the course of his career.

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Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns