Ages ago I worked security and also worked with some LPO's at anchor stores. First off the only way an LPO or security will approach you is if they are certain you stole something. You would never arrest or detain someone on a hunch as you, your security company or the chain would be sued six ways to Sunday. A lot of companies do have a no arrest policy and are try to be visible deterrents and follow suspected shoplifters.
Citizens can only make a citizens arrest if they see an indictable offense. Property owners and those in care and control (Security/LPO) can arrest for any criminal offense (Summary or Indictable). In both cases you have to witness the crime and as stated with a reasonable time. I am guessing these guys probably used cameras and got the guy shoplifting on camera and as soon as he left the store they ran him down and tried to arrest him. To arrest all you have to do is identify your self and tell them that they are under arrest (I believe what for as well...been a while so that is fuzzy).
As soon as the guy doesn't comply and tries to get away he is resisting. At that point they are more then allowed to use force to arrest. I didn't see anything wrong with what they did under those circumstances considering a knife was pulled on them. The take down was a complete mess considering there was two and they didn't really have control of the suspect at all.
|