Apparently we're about the same age.
I did a lot of Meth in the late 60's but got lucky and left the whole scene when strangers started appearing at friend's houses. Clean cut guys with lots of money. Three weeks later, EVERYONE I knew was in jail, except me. It was a major sting, that scared me silly.
Twenty years later, I ran into a few of my old friends. They now were identical to your neighbors. I'm very thankful I had that one lucid moment, 40 years ago. Most of those guys were dead before they reached 50.
I'm another that has no faith in police.
One thing I did learn is that thieves do NOT like being told by a cop that they are aware of their adventures in thievery.
I strongly recommend that once you are confirmed in compliance, you make a point of mentioning incidents like the one you mention. Our police were appalled when we told them why we didn't call them about being ripped. "We don't trust you" was our comment. They include such things in their reports, which might be helpful if the idiots do something, down the line.
They went next door and told the thieves what they thought about thieves calling in complaints.(Did I mention they were "Ex cranksters" living with their elderly mother?)
I still wouldn't call a cop if I got ripped off, again. If I get lucky, the thieves would wish I had.