So instead of paying $225 to a pawn shop you can pay $225 for the Dropcam Pro..? Dropcams are overpriced, but no camera would have stopped this, they already caught the thief, so they didn't need additional evidence.

If you think you'll see the video and rush home before the thieves leave then you misunderstand just how little time your average robbery takes. 15-20 minutes at most, most much less (10 or less minutes). Get in, grab valuables, and get out. They just presume silent alarm or neighbour spotted them, and act accordingly.