Idk,

Shouting “Hey, don’t do that” loud and clear may be more effective.

• kid may have thought they where alone and will get jumped from getting caught.

• May alert the parents their kid is up to mischief.

• Doesn’t potentially start an escalation war with neighbors

• Doesn’t carry the small risk of the child falling or otherwise getting hurt with you as an easy blame.

Think of it like this: Does the kid now understand the “evil” of their actions to try be better next time. Or will they feel vindicated by their parents support against your “evil”