Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
If someone steals you car, and takes it around the block, and returns it, isn't it still theft?
Following up on the UK comment,
it comes down to intent and the period of time.
The police might not get a person on a theft charge if they return the item or if they intended to keep it but changed their mind quickly & returned it, but they can usually get them on a conversion charge and
unlawful taking charge under s12.