This would be my advice based on 17 years of law enforcment experience.
In a perfect world you wouldn't have to do this but I would advise to get in contact with the agency that is working the burglary and ask to speak with the investigator that handles the pawn shop detail. He/she needs to go out and pull the pawn shop records right now, rather than the next time they are scheduled to be checked. It may be several more weeks until they get looked at, every day counts a lot twords getting any property back.
I would also make sure that the report is detailed, for example if an Ipod is stolen you want to see something like this in the report:
Apple Ipod, 40 GB model white in color. The vicitm stated that it is loaded with every Beatles album. The serial number is XXXXXXX.
What you don't want is this:
White MP3 player, NOD.
In short, you want to have everthing described as throughly as possible to make it easier to ID it as your property.
I would also suggest that you stay in contact with the investigator assigned to the case. Call and get frequent updates and make sure that they don't let your case fall by the wayside. Remember that just like " Topgun " is not an accurate depection of how things really are for you, neither is " CSI " anything like real life in a police department.
In a perfect world you wouldn't have to do this, but the more you interact with them, the more time will be spent on your case.
Also, make sure that before you sign any settlement with your insurance company that you are aware of their policy reguarding property that may be recovered after your claim is paid off. After you have been paid, anything that is recovered is the property of the insurance carrier, not you. If it's a tv, or any common household stuff it is a non-issue, but with guns or anything with sentimental value it would be better to discuss it prior to claim settlement. Most carriers don't want to fool with having to dispose of a firearm, and will let you buy it back for what they paid you, but if you don't let them know before hand, you might not ever be notified that it was recovered.
Lastly and perhaps the worst news is that the chances that your house will be burlarized again are pretty good. The person that did it the first time now knows what is left to get. Most departments will put your house on a special watch list and check it several times per shift, ask the investigator to put your house on this list. After a day or so call and ask to speak to a supervisor of the patrol division and ask how many times the house was checked. Be the squeeky wheel.
