Roberto Díaz has been reunited with 15 stolen bass guitars following a break-in at a Las Vegas storage unit just weeks ago.
The breakthrough came when local musician and tattoo artist Dave Chipp stumbled across several suspicious instruments at a music shop in Henderson, NV, roughly 16 miles from Las Vegas.
Something about the basses immediately stood out – probably that they’re famous because the dude that owns them is in Korn. After picking one up and inspecting it, Chipp noticed markings on the 12th fret – “Ra ST” – a clear nod to Díaz’s past with Suicidal Tendencies.
After contacting a friend connected to Díaz, the situation quickly became clear: the bassist’s storage unit had been broken into, and his entire collection had been taken. Within days, Chipp tracked down additional instruments, along with pedals and personal memorabilia, at other nearby shops and alerted Henderson police.
Several basses featured distinctive identifiers, including a Chilean flag. According to authorities, these details played a key role in confirming ownership and recovering the gear. And I’d like to just take a second here to say maybe don’t steal people’s gear. It’s their livelihood and you’re really fucking someone over that’s already living on a tighter budget. Also, maybe don’t steal from someone famous? Ain’t hard to figure it out.
Despite no arrests being made so far, the outcome is one many musicians rarely get. Díaz recovered all 15 basses and later took to social media to express his gratitude: “A couple weeks ago a storage unit of mine got broken into and tons of my basses were stolen.
“I want to give a HUGE shout out to the @hendersonpolicedepartment and the Property Crimes Unit for their quick response, amazing support and actually being able to recover ALL OF THE BASSES!!!!
“As a musician I’ve heard tons of stolen gear and equipment horror stories. I can’t believe how lucky I am that mine has a happy ending thanks to them. The amount of sentimental value some of these instruments have is impossible to explain and the fact that they’re now safe in my possession is truly a blessing.
“Thank you so much as well to my good friend @chris.waiau for his help and for being the one that notified me that this happened after @davepikey_tattooer texted him a photo of one of my basses being sold at a store. If it wasn’t because of their quick action and response this story could have had a different ending. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
The timing made the recovery even more significant. One of the returned basses, adorned with the Chilean flag, was intended for an upcoming tour stop in Chile.
For those unaware, Ra Díaz is filling in for bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu who stepped down in 2021 – though he still recorded bass on Korn’s 2022 album Requiem.
After years of silence, he reappeared in a 2025 interview, revealing he hasn’t spoken to his bandmates since 2019 and saying: “They’re truckin’. They’re a machine. They’re going. It’s insane. It’s dope that they can keep on going like that. It’s cool to see them keep on going, but I need to chill.”
In another interview, he explained his absence: “COVID happened. That’s it. I’m like, ‘I’m not going out there.’ That’s what happened, ’cause it was new.”
“Now. I’m like… The whole time – I mean, I didn’t get vaccinated or anything – but when you reflect on it, that’s what happened. They’re like, ‘We’re going to Florida and all this.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not going to get vaccinated.’ I’m not going. I go, ‘People, this is weird right now.'”
“But I mean that’s kind of what happened. But it gave me time to sit, and once you sit, you can reflect and you’re like, you’re kind of just waiting you know to what’s next, ’cause I don’t know what the rest of this day is going to bring. I’m just on fire for whatever, whatever is ready.”
Asked if he’s retired, Fieldy said: “I’m retired from Korn today, but we’ll see what the day brings tomorrow.”
He’s also working on new music with Greyson Nekrutman and Christian Olde Wolbers, noting: “I’m doing another project. We got two rough songs done… He’s a sick drummer… He’s like a jazz drummer.”
