For a bit of back story....

In July I was moving out of my apartment and so too was my room mate. During her move out it seemed that either her or her ex husband (they were getting back together) had stolen my rifle. Two days later, when I noticed it was stolen, I reported it.

Now, as of Thursday of last week the rifle that was stolen from Lawton, OK, was found in Duncan, OK, at a pawn shop in an adjoining county. The person who had pawned the weapon was indeed her ex husband. I understand from the two detectives involved that it is a misdemeanor charge for lying on his intent of ownership form at the pawnshop for Steven's County and a Felony for having actually stolen the weapon in Comanche County.

I have been told by the police in Stevens County that if the criminal does not pay the pawn broker back the $300 dollars he had pawned the weapon for, I will be required to pay the pawn broker back if I want my rifle. Of course, I will attempt to pay him if I have to...I bought this rifle after I had gotten out of basic training in 2006 but now I am a broke college student so it will be difficult.

My question is two fold.

A. How will the criminal attempt to pay them back if he is in prison, if he does of course, get charged on both counts
B. If he does not pay the pawn broker and I am forced to do so, is this really legal? I understand that I will be afforded restitution from the criminal but I have no delusions that I would ever likely receive it.

Shouldn't the pawn broker have insurance for this sort of thing? I mean, it has to be a common occurrence in their business. This essentially treats the victimized pawn broker (the business) as a greater victim than the original owner (myself) and seriously seems like an unbalanced justice.

What are my options?

Thank you very much in advance.