A lot of big national retailers (CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart) have shifted policies where they won't detain anyone. They had policies that allowed it. Heck - I've even see it maybe 15 years ago. But now they're more worried about people (employees, customers, and even the thieves) getting hurt and suing. They'll leave it to the police that have their own liability and possibly qualified immunity. Employees have been fired for trying to stop shoplifters. I hear Walmart might a little bit different in that only the "loss prevention" employees can do any of the, and they might be contractors where the contracting company has its own liability.
Home Depot apparently doesn't have a national policy to not intervene but I'm not sure if managers might set their own policies.
This is simply giving the green light to expand this type of criminal behavior. The thieves know the stores are afraid. And they are playing on that fear.... And it's working. Then you have total lunacy with states like California, that are all but refusing to prosecute any theft under $950.00. That's what started the organized, "smash & grab" hits all over that state.