Empathy is literally about understanding the feelings of others.

It's about putting yourself in their shoes, and ask yourself how you would feel in their situation. What led to them being where they are today. Sure some people like to steal, but the vast majority of food thieves in society today are literally going hungry otherwise, often due to situations outside of their control.

What would you do if you lost your ability to feed your family tomorrow, lost your job, many folks would lean on family or friends, but what if those weren't in the picture, or in a position to help. Imagine what state of mind you would be in. Would you risk getting caught stealing some storebrand food if it meant feeding yourself or your family?

Now, let's say this particular instance isnt that. This is just someone stealing for the fun of it. You can't honestly say that the above scenario doesn't happen every single day, all over the world? Should we not try to help those people, even if it means someone may benefit from it that doesn't need that assistance? Or that we shouldn't help them because it wouldn't completely eliminate shoplifting, so why bother? Since obviously the risk of being caught doesn't also eliminate shop lifting, why bother with it then?

And it's obvious that the threat of being caught doesn't eliminate this behavior, since desperate people literally steal to survive, and the thrill seekers are literally drawn by the danger, is it not in the store owners best interest to help those in need, as it will eliminate that segment of shoplifting? Eliminating food/housing insecurity is the first step on getting those that are so desperate back on their feet, and becoming functioning, productive members of society.

So yeah, having empathy with someone who is struggling (maybe not this person, but all those who steal food) is far more productive than assuming the worst in them and feeling vindicated.