Criminal prosecution for an offense of theft under § 7–104 of the Criminal Law Article is not a prerequisite to the maintenance of a civil action under this subtitle. The recovery of damages under this subtitle does not preclude criminal prosecution. The payment of damages under this subtitle is not admissible in any criminal proceeding as an admission of guilt or as evidence of guilt. A court shall reduce the amount of any restitution awarded in a criminal proceeding regarding an act for which a responsible person has paid damages under this subtitle by an amount equal to those damages.