Yeah I don't think you understand the full context. He took them down and told flock to come pick them up. And obviously didn't deprive flock from their property in any form.
This article seems to confirm what I stated above - he took the cameras, and was later confronted by law enforcement about it.
And even if your telling is correct, that's still theft. Similarly, I can't just take your car, drive it around, and call you later to tell you where it is.
Publicity for what?
The publicity comes from a elected government official getting charged with felonys for stealing when he didn't steal anything.
The playground analogy doesn't really hold up here I don't see the connection between the two.