Missing prized violin found after search warrant executed

Two people are due in court after a prized violin, worth more than $37,000, went missing from an Auckland bus in August after an international student left it behind.

The violin, which costs 150,000 yuan (about $37,500), was allegedly taken from the bus on 1 August, and officers had been making enquiries into its whereabouts, according to police.

Auckland City West area prevention manager, inspector Wayne Kitcher, said the theft had taken a huge toll on the owner due to the cost of the violin.

“Staff had reviewed CCTV and, as a result, been making enquiries," Kitcher said.

“On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant at a property in Rānui where we subsequently located the violin concealed within the ceiling cavity of a linen cupboard.”

Kitcher said two people were due in court because of the discovery.

“This was a stressful ordeal for the owner, and we are pleased to not only have recovered the violin, but to hold these people to account for their actions,” he said.

A 38-year-old man will reappear in Auckland District Court in January charged with theft.

A 39-year-old woman was due to appear in the Auckland District Court later this month charged with receiving property.

The owner of the violin, Longrui Zhu, said she was "really happy" that her violin had been found.