Suspect sought after ‘unique’ banjo, laptop stolen in Nanaimo, B.C.

The suspect is described as a white man, between 35 and 45 years old with a medium build and a brown moustache. (Handout)

Police in Nanaimo, B.C., are asking the public for help identifying a man who allegedly broke into a parked car and stole a bag containing a laptop and a handmade banjo.

The Nanaimo RCMP detachment says the break-in happened on Victoria Crescent, in the city’s downtown, on Oct. 4.

“Taken was a backpack that contained several items,” the RCMP said in a news release Wednesday. “Of note was a silver MacBook Pro laptop and a banjo.”

Police said the “rather unique” five-string, solid-wood banjo showed up at a nearby pawn shop a short time after the theft was reported. A man came into the shop to try to sell the instrument but staff refused the sale and the man left with the item, police said.

Investigators are now circulating an image of the man taken inside the shop, describing him as a suspect in the theft.

The suspect is described as a white man, between 35 and 45 years old with a medium build and a brown moustache.

He was wearing a grey T-shirt, grey sweatpants, a black hat worn backwards and white shoes on the day the items were stolen. He was also carrying a small grey bag, according to police.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect tor who has information that can assist in the investigation is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.