There is such a thing as situational ethics. Example: if you live next to a deserted grocery store and you are starving to death, is it ok to steal food in order to save yourself? Yes. Of course it is.
This seems to be a similar situation. BTW, expect a TV movie to be made about this. ;)
The situational ethics argument came up yesterday on Dennis Prager's show. He was discussing a hypothetical situation with a very religious caller: if you lived next door to a deserted bakery, would you steal the bread or starve to death. The caller said he would starve to death because stealing under any circumstances is wrong. This guy believes in moral absolutes. Dennis was very polite to the caller but I don't need to be. The caller was clearly insane.
I would leave an I.O.U. on the counter or in the till with my name and address on it.
Then even the caller should be happy (but he won't be.)
The caller forgets the time that Jesus and his hungry deciples, helped themselves to someone's corn field, on the Sabbath day.