When he called the cops, did he tell them what he was using the equipment for? Did he report his plants stolen too?
All my plants are assigned to patients but if I was robbed - I think I would still only report the stolen equipment and not the stolen plants. I've had rippers take my outdoor plants - I never called the cops on them, just handled the business myself.
Doesn't seem like the DA would have a very strong case, unless he self-incriminated by admitting to the mj plants.