> depriving the owner of the use I suspect it is more along the lines of "depriving the owner of the ability to use", so as long as the car was away, it was a

> depriving the owner of the use I suspect it is more along the lines of "depriving the owner of the ability to use", so as long as the car was away, it was a stolen car, because the owner couldn't choose to use it themselves, or to lend it to someone, or show it to someone, or just brag to someone about how cool it looks in their driveway. Returning it may impact what happens afterwards, but can't change the fact that the car was stolen for a period of time.