You’re probably right - it was just a crime of opportunity committed by some street thugs, and now the violin is at the bottom of a river somewhere or smashed in a dumpster.
I did notice, however, that the first article mentioned that one of these three had been involved in an earlier “art theft,” so I suppose there’s still a possibility that they were working on commission.
The story mentioned that they had dumped the case near where they stole the violin, probably, as someone here suggested, because they thought it had a tracking device (which it no doubt did). That indicates at least some awareness that what they were stealing wasn’t just any old fiddle to be sold for a bag of meth.
But as you say, who in their right mind would hire somebody named “Universal Allah” for the job?
As I understand it..the violin is owned by a non-musician, who allows the musician to use it, as it should be, for a great instrument deserves to be played, and heard. This is a fairly common practice..
I assume it's insured...wonder if the premium is paid by the owner, or possibly the orchestra, or the user?
As compared to, say, a piece of jewelry worth millions, which the policy usually requires be kept is a vault except on the few occasions when it's taken out to be worn, this violin is out and about all the time..planes, taxis, carried on the street..