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Visiting U.S. couple heartbroken after cello stolen from vehicle in lakecity

American couple offering reward for its return
18254901_web1_copy_190828-WLT-StolenCello
Bryan Rice with the electric cello that was stolen from his vehicle sometime overnight Friday, Aug. 23 while he and his wife were staying at the Super 8 Motel in Williams Lake. Photo submitted

After having an electric cello stolen from their vehicle while staying at a motel in Williams Lake a U.S. couple is hoping for its safe return.

“We think that the thief thought they’d found an expensive gun because it was in a case that is long and narrow,” Rita Rice said from Idaho Monday morning. “They left everything else in the car except for a pair of sunglasses.”

Rice said she and her husband, Bryan, had been in Wells for a week-long intensive harp and cello school when they decided to stop Friday, Aug. 23 in Williams Lake and checked into the Super 8 Motel on Highway 97.

They parked their vehicle about five spots from the entrance of the motel at about 8:30 p.m. and did not discover the car had been broken into until 8 a.m.

“My husband thinks he may not have locked the car because he used his key remote and might have been too far away,” she said.

The Rices are happy to pay a reward for the cello’s return with no questions asked and have it shipped home.

“It was a heartbreaking end to what had been a wonderful week in Canada,” she said, adding about a year ago she bought Bryan the electric cello because it is easier to transport than his large acoustic one.

They can be reached at 1-817-320-8551 or via e-mail rrice@bcrbvl.com.

Last week an American couple had their truck, boat and boat trailer stolen while they were staying at the Super 8 Motel as well. The truck was discovered within 24 hours at Deep Creek north of Williams Lake.

Read more: Oregon couple’s stolen truck located at Deep Creek, boat still missing



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18254901_web1_190828-WLT-CelloCase
A sample of what the cello case looks like.


Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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