This is a pretty common practice throughout the US. Some big chain retail stores will even fire employees if they try to confront a suspected thief.

It's generally cheaper to call the cops and file an insurance claim than it is to deal with worker's comp or lawsuits if something goes sideways.

California classifies this as "crimes of necessity" with zero repercussions and in many cases people defending the acts of lawlessness. In CA everything is upside down!!