What legally might happen if a customer helped stop a shoplifter?

I walked out of the grocery store today and heard some ruckus behind me. I look back and a short manager was trying to apprehend a shoplifter who was running out the door with 2 large cases of beer. The manager had the guys elbows back but was straining and the shoplifter was using his leg strength to try and break away. I saw this and grabbed the guys legs and we took the guy down (no harm was done to him at all). We were worried about the guy having weapons and we wanted to get him back into a holding room to await the arrival of police, so I frisked the shoplifter and we got him up and back into the room. After 30 minutes the police still had not showed up so I decided to leave but I left the manager my phone number and name. I've not yet been contacted. Are there any legalities I should be aware of?

trooper3316

In many states, a citizens arrest is only allowed for a felony. There would be further complications if the person was a juvenile. The law allows for retailers to detain people, but not always citizens.

From a professional standpoint, I would not recommend you interfere. From a personal standpoint, I would have done exactly what you did, but I would not have given the manager my name.

However, if you felt the manager was going to be assaulted, then you can use the privilege of self defense. You would not be helping detain the shoplifter, you would be protecting the manager.

I know what I know

Where the store may have been grateful what you did was not very smart and i is strngly discourage by any store security team.

Mitch

No, but it's possible you could go to court to testify as a witness. Other then that good job!

ec911dude

Sounds like you did Ok. Most states allow retailers to apprehend shoplifters. The catch is that they better be right. Or at least they better have all their ducks in a row, legally (reasonable suspicion, reasonable force, reasonable time, etc.) Because if they are not, they can be charged with false imprisonment. If you helped, theoretically, you can too. If it's obvious and you feel certain and the retailer has summoned your help, then you are probably ok. But no exercising of power comes without a proportional level of risk. The common law concept of "Shopkeeper's Privilege" is a narrow one in scope. Before you jump in, you better be sure you're jumping in on the right side of the law. Just a word of caution.

Tina Marie

You will just have to go to court as a witness. How did the manager control him after you left? I would call the manager and ask him what the police charged him with and how long it took them to show up. You get an "atta boy award".

Todd H

If he got injured, he could file a Civil Suit against you with a good lawyer, but not likely. I think you did the right thing, now he can go to jail.

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