Only proprietors should think about chasing the thief. The risk of injury or death is not worth it for the honorable employee.
When seconds count, police are only minutes away.
I am really surprised that stores in high crime areas don't keep everything behind the counter or in locked storage cages. Customers could only handle one item at a time under close supervision. Even have a locking gate on the front door so they can't just grab something and run. I suppose the place would still be susceptible to outright armed robbery, but it would cut shoplifting to a minimum.