Sucks man!! Always take photos of your toys and especially the serial numbers.
With CC and pawn shops- if you see your gear there, don't approach the manager. By the time you report it to the cops, they will move the goods on to another store. Just walk out quietly and get the local cops. They are usually helpful and sometimes will even let you know who the thief is and where he lives :) then you take some maori mates around and give them a thrashing!!
Worked for me!! Got my stuff back and my two Maori rugby teammates got some boxing practice in
