Police are not here for "after the fact". "After the fact" situations are for investigators and dectives. Police are for LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Therefore, if it is a LAW to protect your home and property, one should practice appropriate measures, such as calling the police WHEN NOT IN IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL DANGER.
From the moment he heard sounds in the garage, he should have called the cops. This is called....protecting your property.
Going into the garage and instigating confrontation is premeditated harassment.
This is what the student should have done when he heard the noise: 1) Call the police
2) Keep surveillance on the culprit until proper authority arrives(If the student was so hell-bent on confronting this guy, I'm sure he could afford the energy to follow him without his presence being known.)
3) If the burglar leaves, follow him.
4) Don't let the burglar know of your presence until authorites arrive.
The student obviously is not a professional LAW ENFORCER. That's why American police officers don't carry swords when they patrol.