flutes

flutes Credit: Cops caught the alleged flute thief and returned them to Alex Sopp (DCPI)

An acclaimed flutist who performs with the New York Philharmonic was reunited with her stolen flute and piccolo Sunday hours after they were swiped.

Alex Sopp, 28, said it was "a miracle" that cops were able to track down the instruments -- valued at $42,000 -- after they were stolen from her bag.

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An acclaimed flutist who performs with the New York Philharmonic was reunited with her stolen flute and piccolo Sunday hours after they were swiped.

Alex Sopp, 28, said it was "a miracle" that cops were able to track down the instruments -- valued at $42,000 -- after they were stolen from her bag.

In a Facebook post, Sopp said a "random upper west side crackhead" who witnessed the theft brought detectives to Gary Richards, 48, who was charged with stealing the prized instruments.