My 23CII is in my large storage closet upstairs

I'm with you there!
My D7000 was *totally disappointing* in too many ways. Focus, buffer "speed," low-bypass (AA) filter...- just-- "YUCK."
I watched the D7100, then ended-up getting a D7200 years ago- MUCHO better in *all* features. Like you, I'm glad I didn't let that one "bad apple" Nikon model scare me away from Nikon preference. (started with film Nikons in the 60s) Wish the D7500 had two card slots- I prefer that feature, while some couldn't care less in their workflows...
Happy shooting.

I "second" your recommendation; I have this tripod also- most often holding a D7200 with up-to 300mm zooms easily. Add a Manfrotto "490-series" ball head- which has its own plate- so no need to go get all "Arca-Swissed-up." It has "lever action" leg adjustment, which I like better than rotating collars, and is exactly in the OP's price range. It is light, easy to transport, and quite solid when set up properly.

You can get yourself shot these days "confronting" someone...and as you said (I agree from experience as well), recovering stolen goods/arresting perpetrator(s) is about a 1 on a 1-10 scale-of-importance to the police. My wife "lost" a $10k piece of heirloom jewelry to a "professional" dog walker (no way to "prove" she did it), and there is little you can do other than file a police report and deal with the insurance company. You still don't have the objects that were stolen… Sucks.
I hope the OP gets a replacement camera sooner rather than later.

It is "kit lens" that was offered with D7000 series cameras as others have pointed out. However, it is a "step above" plastic-flange kit lenses like the 18-105 both in build and performance. The 18-140 has a *metal* flange I bought one used, and am extremely pleased with it on my D7200. It replaced an 18-105 that has a broken bayonet flange. Contrary to some who say with "careful handling" the flanges won't break – I take great care when changing lenses, and one of the plastic lugs snapped off *anyway.* Cheesy, under-engineered, plastic bayonet flanges are too weak for a lens of this weight. I would absolutely recommend the 18-140 to your friend; it definitely performs better on the D7100 and D7200 than the lower entry-level models (which have AAFilters). I would advise your friend not to pay more than $250 for it. (As an aside – using this lens on a D810 in DX Mode is kind of like putting 87 octane gas in your Ferrari.)

I went from a D7000 to a D7200. In addition to having 24 megapixels, the 7200 has a better focusing software, and much better high speed shot buffering than either of the D7000 or D7100. It does not have an anti-aliasing filter. As you know the D7000 has *two* slots. So does the D7200. The D7500 has the even next-step-up focusing system, and only one memory card slot if that makes a difference to you. I am extremely pleased with my D7200 and not sure that I would trade it for a 7500 to be quite honest. And, I believe, rumor has it that the D500 is already being discontinued by Nikon!?… I vote for the D7200 with some good glass.

Thanks for the chuckle(s)- (*and* for your consistent, salient, knowledgable input to UHH)

Yours is such a constructive comment. *Thank You* for adding positively to this OP's discussion. Please keep it up! Such comments help UHH "newbies" quickly learn that some folks add nothing meaningful to topics.

Smoke Hole "Big Bend" (NOT Texas) might be worthy of consideration. Hiking trails are reasonable/accessible (with care), might require 1/2-mile trek. "Southern" part of WV- Dirt roads. Beautiful macro, landscape vistas. Reservations for campsites required.

:>)

Welcome to a group that supports "taking of images." My suggestion is to get an "entry level" camera made by Canon or Nikon. Search sources, evaluate, make a choice. There are many opinions regarding "format" - That doesn't really matter. Good lenses *do* matter.

I was born in NH. Flipping your left eye to the right will "saalve" your left-eye (for whatever reason) problem. The cloth also keeps mosquitos off one's neck.

Some folk focus on the tools, some on the art. The tools in-hand are better than tools desired/"required."
Some need a screwdriver; some suggest a sledgehammer Hoodman