In another forum (next door to this one), someone in my local community made the claim (paraphrased here)
I encountered a person rummaging through my car and stole some things. This person took off and I chased them down. When I caught up with them I physically beat them and made them give back not only my property but everything else on their person, and then sent them on their way.
In my opinion because the author chased the thief they could not claim self defense, and in fact they assaulted and robbed the thief (robbed because the author took property that was not just theirs). Other people on the forum have supported the author and are taking a point of view of "technically it may have been a crime, but morally it is not" as there has been an upswing in property crime in my area and the police are being seen as to not be doing anything about it - so someone has to teach these thieves a lesson.
Is my interpretation correct? And while I understand the desire to protect your property, is there a point at which "convincing" a thief to return it is no longer legal?
FWIW this is in New Mexico, and I am looking for answers relevant to this state.
Edit
To add on, I saw this random website about self defense in NM where it states in part (with my emphasis):
Self-Defense Law 101 in New Mexico
There are a couple of other key points to remember regarding the use of force. Significantly, once an individual becomes justified to use force, the right to use force may end during the encounter if the danger to the individual ceases or the threat is disabled. NM UJI 14-5171. As a result, if the initial aggressor ceases the aggression—for example, by fleeing or being knocked unconscious—your right to use force ceases.
