That is because PCs hate orphans. Dirty kids should get some parents!
Anyway, a fun solution is that the item is "randomly" teleported again. Rogue tries to get reperations for the damages to...what, a cave? I get the feeling they are on some random deserted island. How much damage could he have done?
Anyway, charging gold for a stolen belonging is evil, hindering the help of good is also evil, or neutral, and thieving, including having a cohort and "den of theifs" is also evil. Usually. Sounds like they aren't going the Robin Hood route on this. What alignment is the rogue, and are you sure about it?