Who has the power to detain a person for shoplifting on business premises?

• A. Movie theatre operator
• B. Police officer
• C. Merchant
• D. Security guard

Answer: (C)

Detaining a suspected shoplifter on a business premises comes from the shopkeeper’s privilege, which grants the merchant or someone in charge the authority to detain a person if there’s reasonable cause to believe theft occurred. The merchant can hold the suspect for a short, reasonable period and in a reasonable manner—primarily to recover property or to summon law enforcement. This privilege protects the store’s interests while limiting the person’s rights, and it applies because the merchant is responsible for the premises and its security. Police have broader authority, and security personnel act under the merchant’s guidance, but the on-site detention power rests with the merchant.