KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Thieves steal thousands of dollars worth of band equipment

Thieves steal thousands of dollars worth of band equipment

SPOKANE, Wash. - A local musician is silent, as is his band, after thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of band equipment.

Dayan Kai, is a member of 6 foot swing - a band voted Spokane's favorite by Pacific Northwest Inlander's readers in 2008 and 2009.

After playing at Zola's Friday night, the band is now quiet. Thieves broke into one of their cars, parked outside the Cedar Spring Estates near Nevada and Cozza, early Saturday morning.

They stole Kai's keyboard, a trumpet and thousands in other equipment.

"I've always just kept playing music and always made it through, thought well just have another mountain to climb," said Kai.

Kai is a multi-talented, blind musician and is the sole provider for his wife and two children.

Heather O'Brien is the lead singer and band leader for 6 Foot Swing. She says the entire band is devastated over the theft.

"It's unbelievable to me that someone can do something like that and not understand how that can affect someone's lives," said O'Brien.

The band has been keeping an eye on Craigslist as well as pawnshops to see if the equipment has been put up for sale, but so far they have not found anything.

Meanwhile, 6 Foot Swing says the community support has been outstanding. People and businesses have already donated money, as well as instruments, which Kai says helps, but their equipment was extremely specialized.

There are also a couple community fundraisers planned, including one on Thursday and one Friday.

Dayan has information about those events as well as the list of stolen equipment on his web site at www.dayankai.com.

If you have any information about this crime, you are asked to call crime check at 456-2233.

- Cindi DeHoog
KHQ Local News