Big Boyz Toyz Sold me a STOLEN vehicle West Babylon New York

In October 2016 I purchased a 1949 Ford F1 pickup I found on Craigslist from a company in West Babylon, NY called Big Boyz Toyz who are known for auto sales and customizations.  I went down to their shop, viewed the vehicle, decided I liked it and gave "Todd" a cash deposit to hold the vehicle to the following day when I would return with the balance and pick-up the vehicle.

 I returned the following day with the remaining balance in cash, paid Todd, and shook his hand as people used to do back in the day.  I did not think to ask for a receipt because growing up a hand shake was all you needed, people were honest.  Three months later three detectives showed up at my home and told me I was in posession of stolen property.  Apparently, Big Boyz Toyz sold me a stolen vehicle with a forged title.  I immediately contacted Todd at Big Boyz Toyz telling him what had happened and he stated that he knew nothing about it and that we would have to go through court to settle any dispute.  

It is now July 2018, I still have not received any of my money back from Big Boyz Toyz for selling me a stolen vehicle and I am unable to take them to court since I do not have a receipt or bill of sale.  How does a company with a legitimate dealer's license, sell a stolen vehicle and get away with not refunding the customer's money.  While I was wrong in assuming a hand shake was enough, where is the ethical obligation attached to the legitiamate dealer's license requiring them to make good on a bad deal?