You guys should start hammering away at his friends, family and employeer. I wonder if he has a job? I wonder if they know his criminal record? Even if you don't get your CASH back, make it money well spent by pounding on him from every direction. I believe in many cases it is better to go straight to the families of these young punks than to the police. I would still file charges, but you can bet that family has a way of MAKING you right a wrong. Start with Facebook, start with his top 5 friends, email them a link to this thread, that should embarress him a little.............He may have no shame though...........Good luck men!
Earl, I hope that these guys don't hold you responsible in any sort of way for giving the guy a good endorsement..........We have all been thrown under the bus sometime or another by someone we thought we could trust!