In living to tell the tale, which statement from the excerpt most strongly
shows that the narrator feels empathy toward the thief

You are looking for the statement that shows that the narrator is feeling sorry or sympathetic towards the thief.  For example, the narrator could say, "I could tell from the look on his face that he was pained from all of the events in his life that has led him to this point.  While he had taken so much from others, it appears much has been taken from him."  If you are given choices, which choice shows a caring or sympathetic point-of-view from the narrator (the one who is telling the story)?