'School Of Rock' Star & Guitarist Joey Gaydos, Jr., Busted For Stealing Guitars

Gaydos, who is known for his role as lead guitarist, Zack Mooneyham, in the fictional school band fronted by Jack Black, has been hit with felony charges for larceny and grand theft.

March 07, 2019
Surveillance footage of Joey Gaydos from Troll music store [TMZ (screenshot)]

Photo by: Surveillance footage of Joey Gaydos from Troll music store [TMZ (screenshot)]

Surveillance footage of Joey Gaydos from Troll music store [TMZ (screenshot)]

By: Catherine Townsend

SARASOTA, FL — School of Rock star Joey Gaydos, Jr., is in hot water after allegedly stealing guitars and other equipment from several music stores in Florida.

Gaydos, who is known for his role as lead guitarist, Zack Mooneyham, in the fictional school band fronted by Jack Black, has been hit with felony charges for larceny and grand theft.

TMZ reports that Gaydos walked into several shops in February, asked to test guitars — and then allegedly stole them. He then allegedly sold the instruments to pawn shops.

The first alleged theft took place on February 7 at Troll Music store. Afterward, police released surveillance footage of Gaydos and the guitar, which put store owners in the area on high alert.

Joey Gaydos, Jr. [Sarasota County Sheriff's Office]

Photo by: Joey Gaydos, Jr. [Sarasota County Sheriff's Office]

Joey Gaydos, Jr. [Sarasota County Sheriff's Office]

The items Gaydos has allegedly stolen include a blue Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul valued at $800, a black Fender Stratocaster valued at $699, and a Gibson Les Paul gold top valued around $2,000.

He was arrested on February 11 at a Sarasota Sam Ash music store. This time, after strolling out with a Gibson Les Paul, TMZ reports that customers followed him out to his car and blocked him from leaving until the cops arrived.

Police say that Joey has confessed — but has pleaded not guilty in connection with the guitar thefts.

Read more: TMZ, NBC News

Next Up

Florida Man Exonerated After Serving 34 Years Of 400-Year Sentence For Armed Robbery

“I can’t have hate, just have to keep moving,” Sidney Holmes says of his wrongful conviction in the 1980s.

Arrests Made In Robberies, Deaths Of Men At NYC Gay Clubs

On March 31, 2023, the New York Police Department identified three suspects in connection to the deaths of 25-year-old Julio Ramirez and 33-year-old John Umberger.

Tupac Shakur’s Stepfather To Be Freed From Prison After More Than 35 Years

Mutulu Shakur, 72, will be released on parole on Dec. 16, 2022.

How Did The Teen “Bling Ring” Manage To Rob Celebs Of Millions?

Seven LA teens and young adults were accused of robbing multiple celebrity homes in 2008 and 2009.

Louisiana Father Serving Life Sentence Freed After Judge Vacates Double Murder Conviction

Innocence Project New Orleans attorney says Larry Moses wasn’t in town when shooting occurred, star witness “had motivation to lie.”

Who Killed Newlywed Convenience Store Clerk Donna Denice Haraway?

The case was covered in the John Grisham book and documentary adaptation ‘The Innocent Man.’

A Nebraska Man Arrested For Car Theft Makes Unprompted Murder Confession

Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska were preparing to question Jeremiah Connelly about a stolen vehicle when he made a stunning revelation.

Who Was Notorious Jewel Thief Jack “Murph The Surf” Murphy?

Not all of the details Murphy shared about his life can be verified, but what we know to be true is a fascinating tale about a daytime surfer who moonlighted as a high-end thief.

Inside Alcatraz: How 3 Inmates Broke Out Of ‘The Rock’ — A Prison Once Considered Inescapable

A convicted armed robber and bank-robbing brothers spent months planning their daring flight to freedom.

True Crime News Roundup: Missing California Woman Found Dead In Remote Woods, Ex-Husband Arrested

Plus: Four University of Idaho students brutally murdered; Pregnant Florida mom found shot; Gabby Petito’s family awarded $3 million in lawsuit; Parents of boy found dead in washing machine charged with his murder.