Stolen violins recovered in Montreal 16 years later

Quebec provincial police have recovered two missing and potentially valuable violins in Montreal.

The violins were stolen from thetrunk of a car on Ste-Catherine Street 16 years ago.

Sgt. Claude Denis ofthe Sret du Qubec said thatthe SQ/RCMP Integrated Art Crime Investigation Team received a tip earlier this yearthat led them to a home on Henri-Julien Street.

Denissaidthey found two violins inside a closet during a raid atthe residencelast week.

One of the violins is marked "Stradivarius" and dated 1685.

The violins'original owner who has chosen toremain anonymous said he paid a total of$56,000 for the two instruments.

However, investigatorsdon't know if the one marked"Stradivarius" is authenticor a copy.

The violins are still in the possession of police.

Police say the 50-year-old suspect will likely face criminal charges, but the investigation is ongoing.

The suspect is known to police.