I filed a report yesterday with the Police in Texas for a situation simular to yours. I was asked if property legally belonged to me and if I had serial numbers. I also provided text messages with ex employees comments and in a case just like yours where he was asking for $$ in exchange for return of our equipment. This turned case in to an also Extortion charge. Police report was taken and has been turned over to investiagtor. It also helps to include suspects personal info, I was lucky and provided all info from his driving record and background check.
This is CABL.com posting #359369. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mbFEr