How is a stolen aircraft returned to its owner? Once the authorities figure out where a stolen GA aircraft is, do they get the owner to come take it back? do they fly it back to its home airport? How exactly does the owner get his hands back on it?
If the owner retains ownership (rather than an insurance company who paid out a claim on the loss), it's up to the owner. The owner can either go pick it up if it is airworthy, or arrange for someone to ferry it back to the owner's home airport.