If their other situations are similar, I see no problem. This example is clearly theft. Even though it is a convertible, it is IN the car and clearly not theirs, and they took it. They deserve to get embarassed on TV.
if you find someone's phone i think common courtesy dictates that you dial a number in the phone like their mom, dad, girlfriend, workplace, etc to let someone know that you have their phone and try to arrange a way to get it back to them.
IMO haters of Dateline have an easier argument for entrapment with I-Jacker than Predator. IIRC the convertible was the only "private" place. The others were out in the open at a mall, casino, park, etc. The I-Pods were in shopping bags - Dateline wanted to create a situation where a shopper had forgotten his/her I-Pod. The producer sat down with the bag then got distracted and walked away. Within a few minutes, it was like fish to bait. One thief said it's like leaving a $100 bill on the ground. Someone will eventually pick it up.
Seen similar things on COPS where they'll leave, an expensive bike for example, and run a sting on people who take them.
If i was staying at the coffee shop I'd hold onto it until I leave in case the person comes back. If not then I'd tell the manager that an item was lost and if someone comes to find it to call my cell number. That person can verify the item lost with me instead of me giving it to the manager and him just taking off with it. If no one claims it then oh well it's mine.
