Ogden musician down $10,000 in instruments, equipment in theft


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OGDEN — Rick Gerber loves the guitar.

It's not so much he's really good at it, which he is, it's more the feeling he gets when those notes just come together.

"There's no wondering what you got to get at the grocery store, there's no thinking about your water bill, it's just absolute freedom,” said Gerber.

Gerber, who lives in Ogden, is in a band that plays everything from The Beatles to Grateful Dead.

He has played for bands such as Tanglewood, Labcoat, Bad Feather and The Rugs.

So, this past weekend, when he realized his Gibson acoustic guitar and his Fender electric guitar were both stolen from his car in Salt Lake City, it hurt — bad.

“I worked three jobs and saved up to buy that Gibson guitar. My livelihood was in that car,” said Gerber.

If only it was just his guitars.

The thief stole his car, a 2007 white Chrysler Pacifica, too.

There were amps, pedals and other musical gear worth roughly $10,000 in that car.


Utah is the best. I've traveled with my bands and have traveled all over the country. I've even been out of the country. I've never been to a place like this with the camaraderie and the compassion people have in Utah. It's a special place.

–Rick Gerber


Although those items can be replaced, it's his writings that can't.

"I've been writing movie scripts and I've been trying to get my poetry published, and my songbook of three years. I compiled songs that I'll never get back. Half of them I just sing out of that book. They're gone,” said Gerber.

When word spread about the theft in Ogden's music community, and at the school where he works, people started donating money and offering guitars.

"Utah is the best. I've traveled with my bands and have traveled all over the country. I've even been out of the country,” said Gerber. “I've never been to a place like this with the camaraderie and the compassion people have in Utah. It's a special place."

Of course, he would love everything back, but this experience reminds him that one bad person doesn't mean everyone is bad.

"People I don't even know have called me. I am astounded by the compassion and the camaraderie of this community,” said Gerber.

Salt Lake City police investigators are working on this case. They can be reached at 801-799-3100.

The Utah license plate of his stolen car is D776LD.

A website has been set up to raise money for Gerber.*

*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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