Thieves Run Off With Busker's Cash

Fredericksburg resident and musician Marc Lee says he lost an estimated $25 after thieves feigned acts of philanthropy before grabbing fistfuls of cash from his guitar case as he was busking on Caroline Street. The day before, he had even been photographed by Fredericksburg Patch photographer Joey Lomonaco. 

The , as Lee was playing blues and jazz tunes on his Martin guitar pumped through a small Roland Cube amp at his usual spot in front of the 909 Saloon on Caroline Street. 

Lee had been playing for about an hour and had made about $25 when he was approached by two african-american males in their early 30s, one had a goatee and was noticeably taller than the other.

Lee says the shorter suspect complimented Lee on his music, and with change in hand, reached down towards the case as if he was going to contribute. Lee says the suspect then suddenly grabbed a fistful of dollars and ran towards George Street. 

Lee stood there stunned for a moment. Then, the second, taller suspect briefly tried to console Lee, telling him that the first suspect was a friend of his and was prone to erratic, kleptomaniacal behavior.  Lee says the second suspect then took out his wallet, opened it to reveal some cash, and promised to make up for his friend's transgression. 

The second suspect then reached down as if to donate before he too suddenly grabbed the remaining cash and ran in the direction of the first suspect. 

Lee attempted to give chase, but was weighed down with his guitar and was unable to keep pace with the suspects. Disheartened, and out a few bucks, Lee says he returned to his spot and continued playing for another half hour before packing up and going home. 

Lee is able to laugh about the incident now. Indeed, he was even laughing about the incident before it happened, reporting that he had joked with his girlfriend as she dropped him off to play music that day about the possibility of "some hobo popping out of the gutter" and stealing his take if he kept too much money in his case.

Despite the robbery, he has no plans to give up busking. 

"It was weird, man," said Lee. "Hopefully it's not a trend."