Irvine Man Gets 10 Years in Prison for Daring Violin Heist and Bank Robbery

A 42-year-old Irvine man, Daniel Preston, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a series of bold crimes—including stealing rare violins worth over $1.5 million and robbing a bank at gunpoint. The case, which reads like a Hollywood thriller, has left the music and legal communities stunned.

Mastermind of an Unusual Crime Spree

Preston, a former music teacher, orchestrated two high-profile crimes in 2024:

• The Million-Dollar Violin Heist: Preston posed as a potential buyer to steal two rare violins—a 1743 Pietro Guarneri and a 1780 Giovanni Guadagnini—from a renowned Los Angeles collector.
• The Armed Bank Robbery: Just weeks later, Preston held up a Chase Bank branch in Irvine, escaping with $45,000 before being tracked down by FBI agents.

How the Heist Unfolded

The violin theft was particularly elaborate. Preston had scheduled a private viewing under the guise of being a serious buyer. After distracting the owner, he swapped the priceless instruments with fakes and fled. The collector didn’t realize the deception until days later.

The Dramatic Capture

1. FBI Investigation: Agents traced Preston’s digital footprint, including emails and surveillance footage from the violin seller’s home.
2. Bank Robbery Clues: A dye pack exploded in Preston’s car after the robbery, leaving incriminating evidence.
3. Final Arrest: He was caught attempting to sell one of the stolen violins to an undercover agent.

The Aftermath

Both violins were recovered undamaged, but Preston’s legal fate was sealed. Prosecutors argued that his crimes were premeditated and carried out with "shocking audacity." In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution.

What Do You Think?

• Was the 10-year sentence too harsh or too lenient for these crimes?
• Could Preston’s background as a music teacher have played a role in his downfall?
• Should collectors of rare instruments have stricter security measures?
• Is the black market for stolen musical instruments bigger than we realize?