Avoiding trial: Plea hearing scheduled for "mastermind" in Stradivarius theft

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — One day after it was announced Universal Allah has reached a plea deal for his role in the theft of the valuable Stradivarius violin -- we've now learned the second man charged in the case -- Salah Salahadyn has reached a plea deal as well.

Salahadyn faces one count of robbery in the case. Prosecutors say Salahadyn was the mastermind behind the theft.

He appeared in court for a scheduling conference on Thursday, May 15th -- and a plea hearing was scheduled for June 30th.

Salahadyn previously pleaded not guilty in the case.

Allah was in court on Wednesday, May 14th.

Allah faces one count of robbery, and one count of possession with intent to deliver THC (less than 200 grams).

Allah’s attorney requested a plea hearing — and it is expected Allah will plead guilty.

Prosecutors say Allah was the one who purchased and provided the stun gun that was used to attack and rob Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra violinist Frank Almond.

The plea hearing will take place on May 28th — and a sentencing hearing is set for July 24th for Allah.

The violin was stolen on January 27th.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Frank Almond had just finished up a concert at the Wisconsin Lutheran College on Bluemound Road. Almond was exiting the performance hall, and he approached his vehicle and opened the rear door on his car to put the violin inside.

That's when a man walked up to him, “produced a flashlight-style Taser-type weapon, and fired that Taser at Mr. Almond.”

Almond told police the “ejected probes of the Taser struck him in the wrist and chest.

Almond said he fell to the ground, and was momentarily incapacitated.

Upon gaining control of himself, Almond said the Stradivarius Lipinski 1715 violin was missing.

The Milwaukee Police Department eventually recovered the stolen 1715 Lipinski Stradivarius violin from a home in the city’s Bay View neighborhood.

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