Stradivarius theft brings robbery charges for two

MILWAUKEE – Two men suspected in the heist of a multimillion-dollar Stradivarius violin in Milwaukee have been criminally charged. The suspects allegedly tased Concertmaster Frank Almond to take possession of the instrument.

The two men, 41-year-old Salah Salahadyn, and the other named Universal Knowledge Allah, 36, are each charged with party to robbery.

Allah is also charged with possessing marijuana.

CBS affiliate WDJT reports that the instrument was recovered with help from a confidential informant identified only as “W.D.”

According to the criminal complaint, W.D. told an off-duty Milwaukee cop that he knew the whereabouts of the Stradivarius, because while getting his hair cut by Allah, he overheard two men talking about the violin theft. He reportedly gave Allah a ride home, and the suspect told him a man named “Salah” stole the violin, the complaint states.

Police were able to track down Allah using confetti-like paper left by the taser allegedly used in the robbery, the complaint says. The small paper contained identifying serial numbers that showed Allah purchased the weapon in 2013.

A woman who was arrested with the two and previously released was not charged Friday.

The 300-year-old violin, valued at $5 million, was stolen from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, Almond, after a January performance at a Wisconsin college.

Police found the rare instrument late Wednesday night in a suitcase in the attic of a Milwaukee home. They say it appears to be in good condition.