The facts are:
ST. PETERSBURG – Richard Dinon saw the laptop’s muted glow through the rear window of the SUV parked outside his home. He walked closer and noticed a man inside.

Then the man noticed Dinon and snapped his computer shut.

Maybe it’s census work, the 28-year-old veterinarian told his girlfriend. An hour later, Dinon left to drive her home. The Chevy Blazer was still there, the man furtively hunched over his computer.

Dinon returned at 11 p.m. and the men repeated their strange dance.

Fifteen minutes later, Dinon called police.
See: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/State/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml

I, too, would have viewed the wifi thief’s actions as suspicious and would have called the police. But, I would have done it the first time I saw someone hunched over his computer, in front of my house, at night, attempting to hide his actions.
If I could be assured no one could break into my network, or use my connection to conduct illegal activities, I would have no problem sharing my bandwidth. Until then, anyone lurking outside my house at night, with or without a laptop, will get a visit from my local police department.

Ultimately, I think this has more to do with the guy being a lurking weirdo than WiFi poaching.