Fast Romantics' van stolen, then miraculously found by 'an angel of a woman'
The Toronto band thought they lost all their gear — but a radio station and listener saved the day.
It's an all-too-common tale: a band parks a van full of gear and merchandise, and within hours — or even minutes — it's gone, never to be seen again.
But Toronto's Fast Romantics have a much happier ending to their van heist tale.
"Our tour van was just stolen," began a plea on Facebook Monday afternoon. "Our precious van with a good deal of our instruments and merchandise has been stolen from the West End of Vancouver. Not just broken into, the whole van was somehow stolen.
"We're in the middle of our tour and this is devastating for us. We've lost some precious vintage amps, guitars, all of our merchandise (all our new records and CDs, T-shirts, etc), a whole lot more."
The band explained that they filed a police report, and asked everyone to look out for the white passenger van with Ontario plates and a sticker from a local radio station.
"Thanks, friends. We're all a little heartbroken right now but there's no way we're gonna let this force us into cancelling any shows. We'll figure this out."
At the time, the band was doing a performance at a local indie music station, and when he heard the news, the host went on air to tell Vancouverites to watch out for the van. Miraculously, an "angel of a woman" heard the call — and saw the van.
"Within minutes, one of the coolest people I've never even met on Earth named Jillian Louise Wilson took a photo of our van in front of her car. She called the cops. The cops pursued it. And I'm stunned and amazed to tell ya that they've found our van," chimed a Facebook post just an hour later.
The band is still sorting out what's been lost, but so far, a 1971 Fender Vibrolux and a 1973 Fender Deluxe are among the instruments missing, along with a sunburst Gretsch acoustic guitar. (The band is asking Vancouverites to let them know if they see those items for sale anywhere.)
Still, most of their gear is intact and they are overjoyed.
"This radio and internet thing is absolutely insanely beautiful and powerful," the post continues. "Massive thanks to our pals at the Peak for getting the word out, to everyone who shared our post. And hugely to this stranger, Jillian, with her hawk eyes and found it driving an hour from where it was taken in Maple Ridge, B.C. Jillian, we'll be in touch. We owe you so much. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
"Crisis mostly averted. We love every single one of you for helping us get the word out. Much love.
"What a weird Monday."
— Jennifer Van Evra, q digital staff