There is a kit # stamped into the SC masts @ the inside bottom, where it is bolted to the keel sections. From what I read yrs. back, every kit had a # assigned/stamped to each one.
This particular Vortex is one of the early production ones, from the late 1990's, like my Lightning was also. I doubt any thief would go to all the trouble to replace the mast section w/ a new one just to avoid that stamped kit # being found.
There are too many through-holes in the double 1"x2" mast sections, some of which use sleeves, such as the folding mast section. To duplicate the fit of the SC mast would take more effort that it is worth to try to sell it as a different machine.
Trying to get the powder coating finish on a replacement mast section to look identical to the production ones would also take a great deal of effort. That effort isn't a strong point of thieves. Someone wanted to turn a valuable looking aircraft into some quick bucks, in my opinion. Chances are high they wanted to get quick money for drugs.
If the rotorblades were taken along w/ the aircraft, then there might be a gyroplane knowledgeable person involved...but if both the gyro & the rotorblade box was on a trailer, it could have been a quick grab w/out knowing anything about gyroplanes.
It was in such pristine condition condition that if a thief would try to sell it, it would stand out (BIG TIME!), not showing any wear or dirt from being flown. There wouldn't be the usual grime lodged in the joints where cluster plates meet the tubing, or where various clamps are attached, that is next to impossible to clean w/out disassembly.
The rotorblades were also pristine Skywheels. There'd be no wear on the leading edge, such as small chips or dings. Same for the Sport Prop. All the hardware nuts & bolts on the hub bar (as well as the rest of the entire machine) would had no marks from using socket or open/closed wrenches.
The machine looked like a showroom model that was assembled w/ care. I believe it was assembled using oversize sockets/wrenches that had tape on the contact surfaces to avoid any marks.
A thief wouldn't know that the Rotax 582 was W-A-Y overdue for a rebuild, not having been used for more than a decade. The engine is over two decades in age. Whomever the thief is, they probably think they can re-sell it for some quick bucks.
If they are a pilot, it'll quickly be known if/when they show up flying w/ that gyro, claiming it is theirs.
An added point: Phil Stevens had told me that due to his stroke/heart attack that he had suffered prior to our last phone call, there were various people coming into his home/shop taking whatever they wanted, such as furniture & tools, right in front of him (!) & he couldn't do a thing about it because of his weakened state.
My gut instinct says the thief lives close by & highly possible that they are one of the previous thieves that stole from him when he was still alive, or, someone those thieves know. Might be someone who came to see the machine using the ruse to possibly buy it, while scoping out the situation.
Another possibility: We know organized crime thieves are very good @ stealing cars, pickups, etc. & immediately putting them into ocean cargo containers that are shortly shipped out of the country. These smugglers have the stolen goods delivered to locations in certain countries where proof of ownership/title is not @ all important in the deal.