In the video at the link, the reporter says the detainee was released by police because no victims came forward to accuse him.
Having that happen to him at the hands of citizens might actually be more effective than jail.
If someone had just called police and done nothing, it would be little deterrent. This way he learns that the people may act.
"No Snitching." And these stupid people wonder why they're repeatedly victims of crime? To be clear, the victims of the crime were the people whose cars were damaged (cables cut). They were not involved with tying the reprobate to the tree, thus innocent of any possible charge of "Unlawful Detainment."