What state do you live in? I'm in CA. I'm a Field Claims Adjuster. Handled plenty of thefts. I've never been involved with a claim where this has happened.
In West Virginia Pawn Shops are required to:
(f)
Every pawnbroker shall keep at his place of business an accurate and legible record recorded in ink or other permanent recordation method, of each transaction made in the course of his or her business. The record shall be made at the time of the transaction and shall include:
(1) A description of the make, manufacturer, model, model number, size, shape, serial number, year of manufacture of the property received.
(2) The time, date and place of the transaction;
(3) A transaction number for each individual piece of property received;
(4) The full name, residence address, and home telephone number of the person or persons pledging, together with a personal description, including the height, weight, date of birth, social security number, hair, and eye color, and any other identifying marks, of such person or persons;
(5)
A record of the verification of the identity of the pledgor shall be kept. This verification shall be made by the exhibition of a state-issued identification card, driver's license or federal passport other government-issued photo identification card. The record shall contain the type of identification exhibited, the issuing agency, and the number thereon. Such card shall be examined by the pawnbroker, and an appropriate record retained thereof;
(6) In addition to the information required in subdivision (1) of this subsection, a description of firearms shall include in their description the color, caliber, and size.
Plus:
Every pawnbroker shall each day prepare a report in a form prescribed by the superintendent of all transactions conducted by the pawnbroker that day. The pawnbroker shall file such report within seventy-two hours of a request by a law enforcement officer of this state, county, city, or town where his business is conducted as prescribed by the superintendent: Provided, That merchandise bought on invoice from a manufacturer or wholesaler with an established place of business is exempt from this reporting requirement.
The report shall include:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the pawnshop;
(2) All information required by subdivisions (1), (2),(3) and (6) in subsection (f) of section three of this article.
(3) The pawn transaction number and the time and date of the purchase or pledge of property.