SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A University of Texas at San Antonio student and mariachi musician is seeking help after thieves broke into his car following a Spurs watch party and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of belongings, including a trumpet he says holds deep personal and family significance.
Anthony Alvarado, a junior civil engineering major and member of UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos, said he returned to his vehicle Tuesday night after an event at The Rock at La Cantera and found his window shattered and his belongings missing.
“I opened the door … and I was like, wait, the window’s open,” Alvarado said. “I looked and I was like, ‘Oh shoot — everything’s gone.’”
According to a police report, at least two other vehicle break-ins were reported in the same area that night. Police were already responding to incidents nearby when Alvarado discovered the theft.
Stolen items included a MacBook, iPad, headphones, and a trumpet valued between $3,500 and $4,000. Alvarado said the instrument was a graduation gift from his parents and carried years of memories tied to his musical development.
“It was my graduation present,” he said. “It had a lot of memories … all my failures starting out … all the way to my accomplishments.”
Alvarado, who began playing trumpet in sixth grade and later served as a marching band conductor in high school, said mariachi music became a key part of his college experience at UTSA after years of wanting to participate.
“I just never had the opportunity ’til I got here,” he said.
Now a member of Mariachi Los Paisanos, he said the ensemble allows him to stay connected to his cultural roots while expressing himself through music.
Despite the loss, Alvarado said he plans to continue performing and will borrow a trumpet from his instructor for an upcoming performance. He added that he has already backed up his academic work ahead of upcoming final exams.
A fundraiser has been launched to help him replace the stolen instrument and other essential belongings, while he continues to provide the serial number of the trumpet to police as part of the investigation.