Ask HN: Former salesman stole company property, what to do?

Small claims court, or hire a lawyer to write a nasty letter and hope he gets scared into keeping his word, or just drop it and move on.

I'd go with small claims court. But that's just me.

If you are in the USA, there is a document you can file with your local sheriff's office. If properly completed, deputies will track down the person, serve a warrant to search business and home, and recover the items.

It would be better to just let the salesperson know you plan to file this form, and ask them to make you whole. Because the deputies may seize and search ALL the computers at the residence, then determine what is stolen. They may find drugs/guns/illegal porn during the search and they will prosecute.

Just let it go.