I hope that karma is a very real thing and that it visits those bastards. I hope your insurance is close to adequate. 
 
Why would anyone steal a backup drive, unless they had plans to return it / ransom it?
 
Are there any local pawn shops? 
 
Good luck, hombre, you deserve better.
 
-Tom

Just read this. This is as bad news as it gets. Feel for you from the bottom of my heart Bit.

So sorry Dave...  that hits where it hurts.  I've had expensive guitars stolen also (from under my beds) and open money and wallet with credit cards on the desk left alone. NO ONE knew about the guitars except close friends.  From seeing this stuff personally and other instances, someone KNEW it was there to take everything and unfortunately, it may be another musician to take ONLY the music stuff.  You weren't burglarized... someone came to get what they knew you had.
Again so sorry.  You sound like the top candidate this shouldn't happen to with all you give back with your knowledge and music.

New development. I think I know who robbed me.
It was the neighbors. My stuff may be in their house right now but there is nothing I can do. We found their exit path, over the back fence and straight to their house. Had the cops back and showed them the footprints and new gash on the wood fence top. All they can do is look up the address and see if there are known baddies living there. They did not answer the door when I knocked this morning, even though there were lights an TV on inside.
It may not be today or tomorrow, but retribution WILL be mine.

Hey Dave ... just reading this thread now ... horrible!

Hard not to round up your own posse....but you'll see a happy ending to this... and neighbors in jail.

bitflipper
New development. I think I know who robbed me.
It was the neighbors. My stuff may be in their house right now but there is nothing I can do. We found their exit path, over the back fence and straight to their house. Had the cops back and showed them the footprints and new gash on the wood fence top. All they can do is look up the address and see if there are known baddies living there. They did not answer the door when I knocked this morning, even though there were lights an TV on inside.
It may not be today or tomorrow, but retribution WILL be mine.

I think the Police could drop by on the premise that the perps went through their yard so they wanted to see if the people living there knew anything.
 
As for retribution, I would propose hanging them upside down by their ankles then force-feeding them Ex-Lax until they drown.

Hey, Bit,
 
So, so sorry to hear that you're having to go through this nightmare, it's absolutely unreal!
 
At least your last post sounds promising, hang in there, brother.  Hopefully, the police will get in there to check things out, find all your stuff, and then "Hook 'em and Book 'em"!
 
Fingers crossed, my friend, stay positive!
Bob
 

I hope the US criminal justice system treats burglary more seriously than the UK.

There have been reports here of the police not even coming to the site and the courts treat it as trivial, not considering the devastating effect on victims.

Your latest post seems to have a glimpse of hope in it, Dave. I really hope you get your belongings back, and in working order. Fingers crossed.
All the best.