Two men were arrested on Friday in connection with the theft of a 1715 Lipinski Stradivarius violin in Wisconsin, Fox News reported.
Universal Allah, 36, and Salah Salahadyn, 41, each face a count of robbery party to a crime. Allah also faces a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
On Jan. 27, authorities received a call from Wisconsin Lutheran College. According to the criminal complaint, a concertmaster from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Frank Almond, was approached by a man after finishing a concert at the school, who "produced a flashlight-style Taser-type weapon, and fired that Taser at Mr. Almond" as he was packing up his car.
Almond told authorities that "ejected probes of the Taser struck him in the wrist and chest. Mr. Almond said he fell to the ground, and was momentarily incapacitated. Upon gaining control of himself, Mr. Almond said the Stradivarius Lipinski 1715 violin was missing."
The complaint states that the violin was estimated to be worth $6 million. Additionally, two 19th century bows, estimated at $20,000 and $30,000, an iPad, and cell phone were in the violin case as well.
A fellow performer heard Almond yelling during the incident, who was able to see the "1990s model burgundy-colored minivan" escape in the parking lot. However, it was particles left over from the taser that tracked authorities to Allah.
On Jan. 28, the violin case was discovered on a street in Milkwaukee, with several items still inside or outside of the case, but the violin was still missing.
On Feb. 3, police received a call by someone who said they were getting their haircut by Allah and heard a lot of talk about the stolen violin in the barber shop. He then told authorities that Allah said Salahadyn stole the violin, prompting authorities to get a search warrant.
When they arrived at Salahadyn's home, they discovered a binder full of "color copies of articles related to Stradivarius violins and articles related to art thefts."
