Except in this case, it would be like you leaving your yo-yo near his house because "reasons," despite your house being across town. Now when he picks it up, you stomp your feet and yell to your parents that he stole it because it totally belonged there and he's a big ol' meanie!

Not even close.

More like it would be like you leaving your yo-yo in an area open to the public because who cares why you leave a yo-yo lying around and your house is across town but it's no big deal since this is a public area (besides, some of your friends live in that hood and you like to visit). This guy has gotten in the habit of strutting around the neighborhood and stamping his feet, and no one has really effectively challenged him on it yet so he's getting an inflated ego. Now when he sees your yo-yo and steals it to fuck with you obviously he plays the old 'b-but I wuz just joking' card because suckers believe that shit all the time, but you're not a sucker so you say "what's up with that, give me my yo-yo back". Then he replies "what yo-yo? oh this old piece of shit? I didn't want this anyway. Here, here's your damn yo-yo back. Wait, since you're complaining about it so much and trying to cause problems maybe I just won't give it back! So there!"