If your logic is sound, why did the police department agree to let the guilty party simply “buy back” the car for $4k? I thought taking the car so it couldn’t b

If your logic is sound, why did the police department agree to let the guilty party simply “buy back” the car for $4k? I thought taking the car so it couldn’t be used in another crime was the consequence? Or is it the money? And who came up with $4k? It certainly wasn’t a judge.