San Francisco Bay area police arrest man on suspicion of killing well-known guitar maker

Calif. police make arrest in guitar maker’s death

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Police in California have arrested a suspect in the killing of prominent guitar maker Taku Sakashta.

Police arrested 28-year-old Joshua Rhea Begley early Monday in Rohnert Park on suspicion of murder, burglary and evading police. He is being held without bail.

The 43-year-old Sakashta was an acclaimed maker of string instruments — known as a luthier. His guitars fetched up to $30,000.

Police found his body Friday in bushes near his shop in Rohnert Park, about 48 miles north of San Francisco.

Authorities say Begley’s criminal record dates back to 1999, and he served time in jail in 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005.

Police say witnesses have linked Begley to Sakashta’s killing. Authorities haven’t released any other details.

Information from: The Press Democrat, www.pressdemo.com