Guys..
Have just returned from NYC. I was there on holidays with my family.
So here is an amazing story.
On the way to BB Kings House of Blues just off times square, in a yellow cab, our driver did not know exactly where the club was. We were close already so I asked him to stop, paid by credit card (which was odd as it was only .6 mile trip), but for some reason I decided to use my card instead of cash as I had been using for all our other cab rides.
So myself, my wife and daughter are standing on the sidewalk and I had just thrown my receipt away, and at the moment it struck me that I was a few pounds lighter. At least as many pounds as adds up to 1 X 70-200mm f2.8 L and our brand new Canon digital camera!
Oh *&%^!
It was totally my fault. I take total responsibility for the loss..
OK, so cue Hollywood style chase the cab on foot scene..
Unsuccessfully.
I walk back to where my wife is waiting, my daughter had taken up chase too so we were walking back together, and all I could think of is I NEED that receipt.
Luckily it was not windy, and my wife had not moved very far from where we got out, so I found my receipt again! So I had medallion number and hack license number.
I called the Taxi and Limo Commission on 311, and took the next 45 minutes trying to get a report in. Which I ended up doing.
I was given precinct 17 and 22's phone numbers at that time, but told NOT to call them.
At least not for a few days..OK so, in the mean time the next day I contact my Insurance company back in Europe where we live. Apparently NOT covered! Ouch!
So I say to myself, well I always wanted to check out B&H shop here in NYC, so I go there the next day (so 2 days after lens loss). I look at a new 70-200mm f2.8 in IS USM guise. But being surrounded by the opportunity to try other lenses, look at the 24-70mm f2-8 L too.
I like my old 70-200mm, but really always needed a more flexible walk around lens. So I buy the 24-70 L..
Take a few shots with it, that day, but really did not shoot much with it.
OK so on our second to last day there, I call the precincts, starting with the 17th. Really got NO help there, but I guess they did not know what is possible with their computers as far as tracking a taxi driver goes. I don't know..
I then call the 22nd. Got onto an officer that is so helpful. He was just about to log off for the day too, but decided to take my call. IN no time I had the cab drivers name and other details.
The officer tells me to call TLC again, I told him that they did not hold high hopes for me getting my stuff back, but he told me to call anyway, and give them all the info he had dug up for me.
I do that, TLC, get me in direct contact with the driver, he has my camera bag, lens and camera!
I go right back to B&H and get my money back on the 24-70mm, would have loved to keep it, but that price is no joke.. 
But that lens will be mine one day..
YAY!
On the way to the airport the next day, turns out the cab driver lives only a minute or two off of the highway to JFK, my car driver takes the detour, I give the cab driver 50 bucks for his trouble and take back my lens. camera and bag etc.
All is in perfect working order. Took shots to check calibration etc. once I got home.
So really, in a city that big, for me to get my stuff back and for most of the people involved to be so helpful, especially the NYPD office in the 22nd precinct, I am blown away.
I am now trying to hunt down who helped me at the 22nd. At least I can send him a card or something.
And I also made a very glowing report on the cab driver to the TLC. I am sure that most times drivers get the short end of the stick, so I hope this positive story will be credited to his record.
HAPPY! And faith is restored in humanity.
