Weird spot with friend and possible jailtime

[Colombo]

Well I get a call today from a pretty close friend of mine because apparently one of our mutual friends got into trouble by stealing $6,000 from his work (cashier at a CVS-type store) . The kid who stole is 20 years old and a good person, so this news shocked me.

Anyways, he needs to pay back the $6,000 by December 31 or he will be charged with a felony and face up to 6-12 months in jail. At this time he has virtually 0% chance of getting this money.

Well, the friend who called me, knowing I played poker, asked me if I could lend the other friend $6,000 and he would pay me back over time. Do I do this, or say [censored] it and let him deal with it himself?

FWIW, I'm not really close with the friend who stole. I mean, we get along great and all but I wouldn't consider him one of my top 2 or 3 friends.