Man accused of stealing from Athens music club dies while on bond

ajc.com

After being released on bond, the man facing burglary charges in connection with the theft of equipment from a popular music club in Athens died.

The cause of death for Michael Simpson Wilson was not listed in an obituary published by the Athens Banner-Herald.

Athens-Clarke County police confirmed Wilson is the same man who was arrested last week in connection with the burglary at the 40 Watt Club.

Wilson was a contractor at the 40 Watt Club before he was accused of breaking in through a back door and stealing $20,000 worth of house gear, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

Police arrested Wilson about 2 p.m. Tuesday after he allegedly tried to sell the stolen equipment to a Guitar Center in Greenville, S.C.

An employee saw the engraved logos for the club and called police, who drove to Greenville to retrieve the equipment.

More equipment belonging to the 40 Watt Club was found in Wilson’s home, police said.

Though several musicians including David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven; Mike Mills of R.E.M. and Jason Isbell offered reward money for anyone offering information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the burglary, no plans have been made to distribute money to the Guitar Center employees or anyone else.

The AJC requests for comment have not been answered with the exception of one artist who offered to pitch in for the reward pot.

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