Whether it be instruments or jewelry, thieves will try their hardest to separate musicians from their belongings while on tour. Toronto-based indie outfit Fast Romantics were hit particularly hard when their tour van was stolen in Vancouver's West End yesterday (May 1), but some quick action from the community and the Internet helped retrieve it in no time.
The band made a Facebook post announcing their white Ford e350 van had been stolen with amplifiers, guitars, merchandise and more inside, with the post quickly being shared by 657 people on the social network. At that point, they were performing at rock radio station 102.7 The Peak. Host James Sutton took the band on air to tell the city of be on the lookout for the vehicle.
Moments later, listener Jillian Wilson posted a photo of the missing van in front of her car. After phoning the police about the theft, the authorities found and secured the van in the town of Maple Ridge outside of Vancouver. The band posted a photo of the end result, which you can see above.
"This radio and Internet thing is absolutely insanely beautiful and powerful," they wrote. "Massive thanks to our pals at the Peak for getting the word out, to everyone who shared our post. And hugely to this stranger, Jillian, with her hawk eyes and found it driving an hour from where it was taken in Maple Ridge, BC."
The band mentioned in the post that Fender Vibrolux and Deluxe amplifiers and a sunburst Gretsch acoustic guitar were missing from the van, though the group revealed they'll have a full list of any missing items following a forensics investigation.
The band were closing out a Canadian tour in support of their latest disc, American Love.
Find Fast Romantics' posts below.
The band made a Facebook post announcing their white Ford e350 van had been stolen with amplifiers, guitars, merchandise and more inside, with the post quickly being shared by 657 people on the social network. At that point, they were performing at rock radio station 102.7 The Peak. Host James Sutton took the band on air to tell the city of be on the lookout for the vehicle.
Moments later, listener Jillian Wilson posted a photo of the missing van in front of her car. After phoning the police about the theft, the authorities found and secured the van in the town of Maple Ridge outside of Vancouver. The band posted a photo of the end result, which you can see above.
"This radio and Internet thing is absolutely insanely beautiful and powerful," they wrote. "Massive thanks to our pals at the Peak for getting the word out, to everyone who shared our post. And hugely to this stranger, Jillian, with her hawk eyes and found it driving an hour from where it was taken in Maple Ridge, BC."
The band mentioned in the post that Fender Vibrolux and Deluxe amplifiers and a sunburst Gretsch acoustic guitar were missing from the van, though the group revealed they'll have a full list of any missing items following a forensics investigation.
The band were closing out a Canadian tour in support of their latest disc, American Love.
Find Fast Romantics' posts below.
