Dear Paul,
At a guess, your loss is probably on the order of five grand. You'll
need to identify some means for those of us who can help you, to do
so.
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e-mail me at paul dash anton at cox dot net and I'll provide a phone number.
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Security-wise, that won't work. Anyone can call me, claiming to be
you. We need a data element commonly known to you & me but which would
be unknown to someone NOT associated with aviation. Also, right now,
here in San Diego, aviation- related equipment is a drug on the market
and most of it is being sold by someone who is NOT the owner. That
is, the equipment belonged to a dead homebuilder whose wife or other
relative who has asked someone in the local EAA Chapter -- or a known
friend of the deceased homebuilder -- to help them get rid of the
deceased's tools & often his project as well. Often times NO MONEY
changes hands. The family wants to recover the space OR they want to
see the project completed. The point here is that unless your
equipment is carefully identified there's a good chance you'll never
see it again.

I think we could all use a bit of input here from people who have
found themselves in this situation (BWB's shop would be a nice case-in-
point). This is the sort of thing on which you would expect the EAA
to take a strong position. But as usual, if it don't pay, it don't
stay.

As a point of interest, my dad used one of those electro-etch devices
that uses a stencil and runs off a 12v car battery. I use a carbide
'pencil' that requires 117vac.

WHERE you mark the tool is as important as HOW it is marked. The two
most common places are where the marking can be seen when the tool is
racked... or when it is held for use. Of course, the point is moot if
the tools are unmarked. So let's concentrate on seeing if we can't
locate some tools to replace what was stolen, or get you some lolly so
you can purchase the items which are aviation-specific.
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As for the telephone, I'm in the book so a phone call wouldn't work,
unless you had a test question... such as the type of cancer I'm
suffering from, something lifted from one of the articles in my blog
and so forth. (Be nice to hear some input on this.)

Family comes first. Then dealing with incoming fire. Refilling your
war-bag is pretty far down the list... although there's a strong
desire to discuss the issue with who who ever robbed you. And yes,
you're right: The cops don't give a ****. But various hotel
associations do. Ditto for travel agents. In theory, when you stay
at a hotel or motel there is an implied safety that extends to your
person, your vehicle and it's contents. The inn-keepers insist they
can't be held accountable for your vehicle & its contents and legally,
it depends upon which state you are in. But at the same time they are
telling you that you can get a good night's sleep and so forth, which
you clearly CAN'T get if you're worrying about the security of your
vehicle & it's contents. Six to one, half dozen to the other other.
Which is why it may make better sense to appeal to whatever agencies
or associations they belong to (Those plaques adorning the walls in
their office), or to the travel agents who tout the factors mentioned
above (ie, safe, secure, etc.)

I'm sorry you got ripped off Paul. San Diego... and its environs...
is a better place than that.

-R.S.Hoover