Wow, what a story. I am so glad you got it back, and your precious kitty pictures. I am a picture freak myself and I still have pictures of my childhood dog!
I ordered my first iphone today (the 4s) and your story insprired me to splurge for the insurance.
Wow! I am SO GLAD you have it back, and that VZW could get it back and functioning. I honestly also think that the cops retrieved it and maybe this less than honest evidence dude tried to take it sync it as his own and when he borked it he fabricated some crap to try to cover his ass.
Either way, SO GLAD it's back in your hands! Its times like that where I wish I had Sprint/VZW again. But I see that my 4s is now in Louisville so it should be in STL by end of day and in my hands tomorrow! WOOT!