Local Musician Robbed and Beaten, Cash Stolen and Guitar Destroyed
By Monrovia Weekly
Published: Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
- Photo by Terry Miller
You might remember our story about Jake Lenaburg from a few weeks ago.
Jake, a single dad, supports his 5-year old daughter Vivinity, and goes to school full time at night.
On any given day until last night Jake could be found strumming his guitar and singing in hope of donations for his tuition at or near freeway off-ramps in Monrovia.
As if it wasn’t hard enough to do this, and face some police opposition to his chosen means of making a living – Jake was mugged Wednesday night.
The Pasadena student was near California and Fair Oaks Wednesday evening about to make a deposit at his bank’s ATM.
Two men approached Jake and hit him in the face and robbed him of all his cash. Adding insult to injury, they smashed his guitar- the very source of his income.
In addition to a seriously hurt nose, Lenaburg said he was shocked by the assault and felt his whole livelihood was ruined. Worried for the future of his daughter, Jake turned to this newspaper for help.
Jake caught our eye as you don’t often see signs like his. Rarely do you see a busker on the freeway off ramp at all. Sadly, it’s usually a homeless veteran and the like who have no other choice but to hope for a friendly freeway handout.
In this tight economy, Lenaburg is hoping to do something with his school career and really make a difference and help people.
The nursing student, who hopes to finish in about a year, had set his sights high. He was ready to take on helicopter nursing (such as Medi Vac) but now, Jake is simply at a loss for words.
Speaking with Beacon Media on Thursday, the dispirited Lenaburg said he felt his whole future was ruined after the attack. No police report was filed as Lenaburg felt it was perhaps best to just try and get back on his feet. But without a Guitar, he’s lost.
1 Response for “Local Musician Robbed and Beaten, Cash Stolen and Guitar Destroyed”
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I can donate $15.00 towards the purchase of a new guitar. You should have reported to police, because you can report the loss on your income tax return; you can still do it. Perhaps more police patrolling of the area may help prevent other attachs by these parasite scum. Is there a phone we can call you on to mail the donation?