After reading the recent posts. I feel the need to point out that most business have personnel policies that require employees not to force confrontations and just give up whatever is requested.

It's a fine balancing act to be sure. Value of the item stolen vs. potential harm to employees and customers vs. immediate or delayed (maybe never) apprehension.

The US has had times when immediate meting out of discipline has been the norm. In it's worst form it was called vigilantism.

Where we are now seems to be balanced between extremes.