FDNY captain filled with gratitude after beloved trumpet returned after being found in pawn shop
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FDNY captain filled with gratitude after beloved trumpet returned after being found in pawn shop

HIGHBRIDGE, The Bronx (WABC) — A veteran FDNY firefighter whose heart was broken when someone stole his beloved trumpet from his car while he was on the job at a firehouse in the Bronx got good news.

The trumpet was found – it was sold to a pawn shop and when the owner saw story on Eyewitness News earlier this week about the missing trumpethe called the police — and the police called FDNY Capt. Anthony Holza — and a reunion took place.

If there’s one song that can capture Holz’s gratitude right now, it’s the Beatles’ “In My Life.”

Holz said when his beloved trumpet was stolen from his car a week ago, so many people in his life came forward and offered to replace it in some way.

“It’s just a trumpet. And it’s important to me, but I didn’t expect people to understand it, connect to it, relate to it, but they did,” Holz said.

It wasn’t just a trumpet. It belonged to his late music teacher, and Capt. Holz has played it many times at FDNY ceremonies and special gatherings, often comforting family members struggling with loss.

The NYPD’s 44 detectives were on the case, tracking video that showed the break-in. Someone was seen walking away with the trumpet, and the same suspect was seen with a female accomplice who pawned it two days later for $125 on East 149th Street.

Detective Angel Cruz found the trumpet in the pawn shop.

“Then I sent him a picture of the trumpet and he said, ‘That’s it.’ And — a big smile on his face, which gave me a big smile on his face, too,” Cruz says.

The smiles were those of relief and gratitude – for all who contributed to this reunion, and the outpouring of support from those who understood and offered to help.

“I was a little bummed that I might not get this trumpet back, but that’s ok. I’ll be fine because of that — just because of the kindness,” Holz said.

The trumpet is valued at $2,000, but its sentimental value is everything, due in part to the late mentor who encouraged Cruz to play as a child.

The NYPD is still looking for the suspect and his accomplice.

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