I had a generator stolen offmmy property once. I bought it used, no receipt, and I didn't write down the serial number. I tried to report it stolen, but with no evidence the police didn't even want to take a report of it.

A month and a half later, my dad saw a similar generator on craigslist that was painted a different color and had the same electric meter broken. Called the cops to report it, but the one who picked up didn't want to make a report of it because he was off in an hour. Told me to call back later. So we took it into our own hands and my dad, a friend and myself went to the address to check it out.

The distinguishing marks on it were the broken meter and a rats nest on the inside. We told him that it was stolen, and bluffed about having the serial number and a police report. Told the guy we're going to call the police. He had a bunch of different stories about how he got it. Never admitted to stealing it, but he "believed" us and didn't want to have to deal with the cops. So he gave us the generator back.