Being broken into or having things stolen, especially things you cherish and have spent time raising, like plants, is a horrible thing to go thru.
I have had similar happen myself, so I know.
But indeed as was said, they could have been looking for pot.
It is the first thing people think I am growing when they see the greenhouse or grow lights.
It is too bad you couldn't have caught him.
It does seem that it is a local however, as folks here are very unlikely to drive across states just to nab some of your collection. In other cases of theft of plants, indeed the plants were of extreme value. But in this instance we are talking about the normal growers, and I doubt anyone here on TF would be so stupid and hard up to bother driving that far or risking getting caught (or shot!). And unless the guy was carrying a few garbage bags to carry them all in, it was not a pre-thought out burglary of your collection. More like a grab what you can and run.
I would assume it is a local person who either thought you were "growing"
(most likely), or perhaps someone who has a grudge against you for something. (Is that a possibility?)
Or even as likely, some kid who might be simply wanting to grab a free VFT or Neps because he thinks they are cool. Kinda silly for a local to do that, unless he can grow it clandestine so YOU don't see YOUR plants in his yard! But if you have kids around the neighborhood, they will do it without thinking. (Here again, if it is a young guy or kid, they most likely thought it was smokes you were growing and wanted to do a grab and run.
I really doubt you will have to worry in the future, unless this kid is a total moron!
If nothing else, put in a motion detector spot light perhaps.
Either way, seems that besides the heat, cold, fungus gnats and mealy bugs, you also have this guy to contend with!
You crack me up.. 