Well, I spent an hour at the first police station today only to find out that I was to go to the one that the detective originates from.  I spent another hour at the other police station and then discovered that the detective didn't have authority to help with my possessions.  I then spent three hours at the central station where I was finally allowed to make a statement (denuncia) on which I had to leave my prints.  After that, though, they wouldn't say where my things were and it was made clear that I wouldn't be getting them back any time soon . . . months even.

I complained to the hotel saying that since the "ladron" never was captured in my room, he never actually stole the possessions.  Hence, the hotel security should not have allowed the police to impound any of those things.  To my surprise, they agreed with me and offered full value compensation (about $1000). 

I will lose one irreplaceable item, a very nice pen given to me by the now-deceased director of a Russian chemical plant in Tatarstan.  He was a very nice man whose family took me all over the central caucasus on non-work days and evenings and really made each 1-2 week visit a true cultural exchange.  For someone who grew up under the cloud of the cold war, this was absolutely fabulous.  But I digress . . . the pen is likely gone forever. 

By the way, the hotel chain was Crowne Plaza.  Mark them as being the "good guys." 

Thanks for the comments.  I'm waiting to tell my wife (and wondering if I should) since she's really going to be upset by the "armed robber" portion of the experience.  It's nice to unload it on someone.