Cops Forbid Free Market Solution

So help me here...

Storeowner cannot get help from cops with shoplifters...
Storeowner confiscates one shoe from shoplifter...
Shoplifters do not return...
Cops say this is not permissible... you see, although if the cops make an arrest, the thief returns in a few hours to steal again... for some reason, taking a shoe keeps thieves from returning... but the cops say that is like saying "gimmee $20 and I won't call the cops..." (Blackmail...) The storeowner, threatened by the police, no longer defends his property from shoplifters.
How can "I'll call the cops" be a credible threat if shoplifters know the cops won't really do anything? If it is no credible threat, how can the storeowner be blackmailing shoplifters?
On the other hand, if a storeowner peacefully protects his property from shoplifters, using a novel means, the police threaten to destroy his business. Now that threat is credible.
Who is blackmailing whom?

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