True Adonis was not speaking from a moralistic point of view. But from what is allowed by law. Security guards do have limited abilities as to what they can and cannot do, which is much different than police officers. If they put their hands on the thief first, and they were not allowed to, then he may have a case.
In California we are allowed to make arrests for felonies as well as certain misdemeanors such as petty theft. If you resist then we can use the necessary force to apprehend and subdue you. If you resist even for petty theft the charges pressed will be automatically bumped up to felony burglary, and assault if applicable.
Keep in mind the DA, prosecutors and good society in general dont take too kindly to thievery.
Also, this thought that loss prevention won't chase you outside the store is a dated company policy not law. Businesses are getting tougher of thieves because it makes a significant dent in profits and it creates problems with employee and customer safety when you allow criminals to do as they please in your place of business. Parking lots are often an extension of the business and thus still private property so you can be chased.
Most big retailers like Wal Mart give their security the full extant of the law to do their job because if they didn't, walmart would be a loot fest.
