It wouldn't matter if he got away with it. You got your wheels back, he had his house raided and hopefully more stuff found, police will be watching him for more stolen items, etc.

Would rather that than a wheel brace through my window and the bloke turning up aty house with 2 mates. He won't come back to your place as you know where he lives, so will go elsewhere and hopefully be caught again.

Now this bloke has the hassle of never knowing when the thief will turn up for revenge and/or the wheels again just to piss you off, maybe the whole car. The police won't search the blokes house for more stolen goods and you are going to court and getting done for something that would never of happened. I know which route I prefer