Damn! That is too bad. I have sent you a PM...

1. File a police report.  Get to personally know the dectective that is assigned to your case.

Now you have a lot of work ahead of you...

Check Craigslist daily

Check Ebay daily...good deals go quick... you say that burglars dont take the time to sell on ebay...RIGHT!  Most burglars are in it for  quick $ to buy drugs...they sell to middlemen. But smart middlemen know you are looking also because these guitars are not your run of the mill POS's. Because they are successful, they typically will  dump outside your community. 

So, dont limit yourself to your city. 

Take a sheet with pictures, description and serial of each guitar to pawn shops. Get to know the owner, not his hired help. Good ol boy him so that he will take the time to get some video and ID if the bad guys come in. 

Music Stores, incl GC. Find the guy in there that buys used instruments. Few employees have clearance to buy used instruments. 

Facebook...most communities have a BUY SELL TRADE...dont limit yourself to local. 

Good luck...the more folks you can get involved with this, the better, right out of the gate. Continue posting with musician associated social networking sites that have members locally and within 500 or so miles of your community. PICTURES! People remember pictures better than names, descriptions.

The OFC helped me recover 2 stolen Ovations back in 2011; you've done well to post the theft here.

My blood boils just thinking about your guitars being stolen! This is a community that may be able to help. The inormation you have provided is a place to start. We will keep our eyes peeled. In my case the thieves listed one of the guitars on craigslist. An OFC'er called me and alerted me to the listing.  From there I was eventually able to recover them but it was a long process. DO NOT count on law enforcement to handle this. Run your own investigation; the police just have bigger fish to fry. Craigslist, ebay and speading the word on the internet are where you need to focus on.

Good luck.

George, I am not sure it is bigger fish. Hard times, high unemployment, a growing substance abuse population have all contributed to a theft epidemic that is bigger than local LE resources can address. But, you are right in that "DO NOT count on law enforcement to handle this." That could lead to lost time, that is critical.

In the last 2-3 weeks, we had a rash (20-30) of burg MV happen. We were able to id and arrest all 6 that were involved. Sadly, the # of victims that will receive their property back will be in the single digits.  That is how quick they reduce stolen goods for cash or drugs. Bigger communities, though, are just overwhelmed with the #’s…and they just hope they can catch one, that will domino to other related cases.  

 A good search engine, that I use, for Craigslist is http://www.adhuntr.com/  and there are a couple others. Here is one that offers search parameters  http://www.zoomthelist.com/

As tpa suggested, tell ebay immediately.

"show up with a bunch of big friends and get what you need"

That’s a great idea. Talk to Mike Tyson on how well it worked out for him...there can be leftovers of a desert best served cold ..they know where you and your loved ones live. If it gets bloody enough, you might even get featured on Law and Order.

"Police not that interested."

Well, that means they are interested...what are they dragging their feet on? Have you asked the officer that is assigned why they will not contact ebay? If you feel the assigned officer is not actively pursuing the lead, then talk to the Chief or Asst Chief and ask them to explain to you why they are "not that interested". Do not mess with an immediate supervisor, or even a Lt. They are not removed far enough from street work. 

Then go to the news and explain your story and lack of interest by LE. Take pictures of the guitars. See if they are interested in interviewing the police to find out why they are "not that interested". You may get a little more cooperation then... just don’t drive over the speed limit and get rid of that stash in your nightstand drawer.

Law enforcement are public servants. They are they only to protect and serve the folks that pay their wages. They should be as loyal to you as your dog.  

Of course that is theoretical babble...but they should be interested in a solid lead. You deserve an explanation as to why they are not.

Have you seen this?

http://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/LawEnforcementCenter.html

Are you sure your guy followed:

https://lers.corp.ebay.com/AIP/portal/home.do?localechanged=yes&locale=en-ROW

Ebay is like many too big to fail entities. If you do not do it, EXACTLY the way they prescribe, they will give it 0 attention.

"Pretty good case against someone" "Detective was going to give to DA"

A couple of things...

It better not be "someone". I hope he actually has a suspect and some decent PC that he can tie to that person or the DA will refuse for lack of evidence. You actually have to show that the person that sold the item(s) knew they were stolen. 

In Texas, which I would assume isn't much different than anywhere else and maybe a little more redneck than a lot...for an offense to occur (that is prosecutable):

the property must be received; (you have this one, by all accounts on the eBay seller, unknown on the buyer)

the property must have been previously stolen; (You have this one by all accounts, across the board)

the person receiving the property must know it was stolen; and (This is the kicker and proving they KNEW it was stolen is the key. This is the hardest part of an investigation.)

the person receiving the property must intend to deprive the owner of the property. (This one is easy if you can nail #3. Otherwise, this one is hard to get, if #3 is elusive)

It doesn't appear he is going to wait until he can tie the stolen merch back to the seller, if the person who bought it is "cooperating", but not around.  If the buyer is adept at this, he is going to say, yes, I did buy them and have since sold them to someone who paid cash and met me at the roadside park. AND, I had no idea they were stolen. Pretty common.

I think the only cooperation at this juncture, that you care about is getting your Ovation's back. If the detective has actually spoken with the buyer...the first question is..."are you still in possession", regardless of his physical location. Your LE contact should have this info. 

Good Luck...

Progress! Hopefully it's still in good shape?

Wow...tell us how it was located, this late in the game, and the circumstances surrounding it, if you know...

I think Moody has your 87C.

I am not sure how your guitar was secured from Mr. Craigslist, but hopefully, there was not a direct link between Mr. C. and your theft or else the 87c may have been under his bed. Possessing stolen property is enough PC to request and secure a search warrant for the house, for other stolen items.