On Sunday night, a group of thieves targeted a band that had just finished a gig at the Cobra in East Nashville. Security footage shows a group of individuals watching the band load equipment and instruments into a Ford Escape.
Once the band goes back inside the venue, the thieves somehow get the vehicles door open, find a spare key inside and take off.
That Ford Escape belongs to Tenasie Bowe, who is a member of the band After Violet. She reported the theft to police that night, then shared details about the incident on Facebook, including a photo of her stolen car.
Overnight, the post was shared in countless community groups, including the East Nashville Neighborhood Watch Facebook page.
A woman from that group recognized the car, which was abandoned on a side street, and contacted Bowe.
"I never thought we’d hear from someone on Facebook that had seen my car," Bowe said. "It was completely cleared out, all the instruments are gone, but I'm so glad to have the car back."
Bowe's band mates are still hopeful they'll recover the instruments stolen, including a Breedlove Moonlight Concert Acoustic Guitar and a red Art and Lutherie Cedar parlor-sized acoustic guitar.
They're also still missing a backpack full of cables, a sound pedal and two microphones.
But they're grateful to the neighbors who had their back.
"It’s just a reminder that it’s a small town, as much as it’s growing and the city is big, the community is tight," said band member Matt Keyler. "We all have each other’s back."
On Tuesday, cities across the country celebrated National Night Out Against Crime to encourage stronger neighborhood watch groups and relationship with law enforcement. Click here to find an event in your neighborhood.
