Doesn't mean it should be illegal to help, it's just highly unrecommended. It's not exactly like a medical situation where an authorized person attempting to "help" can actually do more harm than good.
Actually, chasing a thief can do more harm. The thief may push a passerby down in order to get away faster, or to slow down their pursuer. Or if the thief has a weapon they may miss the pursuer and accidentally hurt a passerby.
I agree - in this case the best help anyone in the vicinity can provide is to get a good description, and if possible get the licence plate of the vehicle. Presumably they used a car since carting around 8 laptops on foot would be slightly conspicuous.
The best news is that no one was hurt.
Apple will get their laptops back the first time one goes in for repair, or upgrading, etc.
It would be ironic if the thief needed to call AppleCare, and gave up the serial number.
Update: Coincidentally, the next news feed I read had this story, about a 99 year old man who broke his hip when pushed to the ground by thief. "
... Around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the suspect allegedly attempted to steal several DVDs from a Nanaimo Walmart, according to police. The store's loss prevention officer attempted to arrest the suspect, who took off running, pushing the senior over in the process. The senior suffered a broken hip and was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he is now awaiting surgery. ..."
T
he full story here, in the Vancouver Sun.