My recommendation to "leave it be" was based on the OP asking the police to investigate and pursue an otherwise unknown suspect.....after that individual had returned the item.
I have no problem with an outcome that demonstrates some benefit for answering "the call" (No police) and one that results in some repercussions for the perp.
However, in order to maintain the usefulness of "the call", the repercussions need to be something that doesn't make ditching the item (to maintain anonymity) preferable to returning it.
