IBM ad: using analytics to predict and reduce crime

Police analysis of crime data and finding patterns (using IBM software) helped several US cities cut serious crime by up to 30%. In the ad policeman stops attempted robbery before it happens, letting the criminal go away. Is that really a good way to reduce crime?

This IBM ad has been appearing on major TV networks in the US:

Ad narrated by a policeman:
I used to think that my job was all about arrests, chasing bad guys.
Now I see my work differently.
We analyze crime data, spot patterns, and figure out where to send patrols. It helped some US cities cut serious crime by up to 30%
by stopping it
before it happens
Let's build the smarter planet

In the ad, policeman stops the attempted robbery before it happens (like in the "Minority report" movie), but then the criminal just walks away, presumably to look for other places to rob.

Wouldn't catching the criminal in the act and arresting him be a better way to reduce the crime?