Correct sir, if you intend on wounding be prepared to fork over the monetary value and then some of what they came to steal in the first place because you probably will loose in court unless you have some very serious evidence against them. As noted earlier in the thread, if you feel that your life or family is in jeopardy in your own home it's best that they leave the property in a bag. If all convicted thieves lost a hand as a consequence of their actions there would be a lot of one handed people in our country.

As for the pin theft your buddy has my sympathy for his loss, unfortunately a large wrapped item in the back of a truck and in particular a big fancy truck just yells "I'm something expensive, please steal me". I'm nervous enough that I won't even transport a pin in my truck uncovered, I don't want anybody remotely even knowing where I'm going with it. You have the pin army on your side and I really really hope the machine had some minor issue that will cause the perp to join Pinside to get help or they will try to sell it for quick cash and it will be spotted. Keeping my fingers crossed for ya! If the donations get started again count me in for a fiver for sure!

Great news! I hope it comes back in the same condition it was before it was taken, sounds like some serious ultimatums were made to have the machine dropped off with no questions asked!