Seems like it happens a LOT. The Forest Service had a King Air 200 stolen right out from under their noses years ago... from Atlanta, I think. It went on to years of service running drugs.. and was recovered later, complete with the
holes in the fuselage... Whenever we flew in Florida we had to have all manner of chain locks and extra security.. and this was a long time ago...
Got a funny story about flying a T.O. on a military job and landing at night at 3 little dirt strips... to practice attacks... the same 3 strips, night after night... near the border... we got comfortable enough that we went lights out and were feeling pretty happy that we had our landings down to the exact minute they requested.... ATC knew all about us and we flipped off the transponder, etc.
You can guess the rest.... all US & Mexican agencies had been told, from the locals up to the feds, EXCEPT for U.S. Customs....
on about night #4, they chased us literally into our parking spot back at the base airport and we got the whole treatment, guns and all.... "Step away from the aircraft...".. blinding lights in our faces... I asked the guy "Don't you think if we wanted to run drugs, we woldn't have the damn airplane painted bright orange?" (fire paint job)...
They turned out to be cool guys (except for one, he was like Frank Burns on M*A*S*H* & was almost in tears that we weren't real crooks), and they all hopped in the Minivan and said the usual "Oh man, I'd love to fly a Twin Otter!" It was pretty funny... though those first few minutes weren't so humorous.
You never know what fun you're in for.....