A rare 1947 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar stolen from a Bel Air music store has been recovered and returned to its owner, the Bel Air Police Department announced Thursday, June 18.
What’s Happening: The guitar was stolen from Music Land, located at 200 Gateway Drive in Bel Air, on February 3, 2026. The department said the instrument has been returned to Larry Noto, the owner of Music Land. All four suspects have been identified, and charges have been filed through the appropriate court or juvenile process.
How It Was Recovered: In May, the Bel Air Police Department was contacted by an individual in New Jersey who had purchased the contents of a storage unit and later discovered several guitars inside. After researching one of the instruments, the individual found information indicating it may have been stolen from Music Land and contacted police.
Bel Air officers responded to New Jersey, where the guitar was examined and confirmed to be the stolen 1947 Martin D-28. The guitar was recovered and brought back to Bel Air, and on June 3, 2026, it was returned to Noto.
How This Affects Real People: Noto has his guitar back. The Martin D-28 is a flat-top acoustic guitar that Martin Guitar has made since 1931. Vintage models from the 1940s are considered among the most valuable acoustic guitars in existence. The recovered instrument is valued at approximately $16,000.
What’s Still Unknown: The identity of the citizen credited with helping recover the instrument was not disclosed. All charges filed in the case have not yet been adjudicated in court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to contact the Bel Air Police Department at 410-638-4500.
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