I'm glad this is turning out so well.Davethis...karma is real,and the universe will pay you back in ways you can;t imagine right now.Well done sir.
As a retired NYPD detective,I can tell you that most stolen property is not recovered,especially musical instruments.There was a poster on another drum forum a few months age,who was trying to get an idea of how much his(fathers) vintage Slingerlands were worth.
He then states that his father bought the drums years ago,and when he found out they were stolen,he took the badges off,so that they couldn't be identified.I told him to give them back to the original owner,or donate them to a school,because of the bad mojo.
I'm pertty sure the guy sold the drums on Chicago craigslist.
In any event,had you involved the police,they would probably confiscate and voucher the drums,as evidence.They could be claimed by the original owner,after the case adjudicated.Trust me when I say,this both Daves,yours is a way better solution.The bad guy may have gotten away with this one,but the game is over,and the jig is up.I'm sure the shipping company,as well as the Boston PD,will have something planned for out little thief.Who knows how many insurance claims have been paid out,because of the activities of this skell.Like I told you before,the guy who boosted these drums,wasn't a player,just a perp.This wasn't the first time,this bottom feeder did this,and it won't be the last.
You can also rest assured,the F.B.I.,may become involved,due to violation of federal,interstate,and international shipping laws.Our POS thief may become an all expence paid guest of the U.S.Bureau of Corrections,and will become sombodys prision beeatch.Payback , times three.Its universal law.
Count me in on making a donation to Davethis too.Class act my man.Larry..I would just check with Bernard first,but if he says go,I'm down.
Steve B