To recoup the loss possibly, but that’s not necessarily governments job. The governments job would be to investigate the theft in an attempt to charge a suspect

To recoup the loss possibly, but that’s not necessarily governments job. The governments job would be to investigate the theft in an attempt to charge a suspect(s) with a crime against another person. If the property is replaceable by the charged parties then that could be used by the government as a consideration in plea bargaining or sentencing. But if it’s gone then hopefully the plaintiff purchased insurance on it.