Steal it back. He's TEN, it's not like you're trying to outwit VOLDEMORT.

Wedgies/swirlies/noogies are middle ground. Not too violent, but painful enough to teach the little shit a lesson.

Just hit him where no one will see the marks. Sounds like the little shit is suffering from a lack of discipline.

i didn’t read the word “son” at first and thought your mom was a pedophile

With a gaming laptop of my own, I’d tell my mum that if it’s not returned in the same condition by end of day I’m calling police and insurance and reporting it as stolen. This is why I keep it set to static ip and record these things.

Put him up for adoption

$4k? You either overbuilt it to a stupid degree or got majorly ripped off

So take it back....

Lock your stuff up or hide it and then steal some of his stuff. It’s time for him to start learning that there is consequences. He’s old enough to know better

So take it back? He's ten. Also punch him in the face for being a little dipshit.

Call the police with photos and the serial number of the computer. Set up a restraining order against the father (as legal guardian) and the 10 year old son on the basis of grand larceny. **** the relationship. Though this may force you to move out. And get one of those locks for the laptop so it doesn't walk off your desk! And stop putting thousand of dollars in front of kleptomaniacs!

put locking doorknob on your door and if he won't give it back press charges against him for theft and say you'll drop them if he gives back everything he took. I don't know how it works where you live but here that's pushing felony theft