Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) CFE Block I Practice Test 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Exam Preparation!

The authority to arrest someone for shoplifting primarily lies with a merchant. In many jurisdictions, merchants have the legal right to detain a person if they have probable cause to believe that the individual has committed theft or shoplifting on their premises. This power is often referred to as "merchant's arrest" or "shopkeeper's privilege." The merchant's authority allows them to take necessary actions to prevent theft and protect their property until law enforcement can be notified.

While police officers do have the authority to arrest individuals for shoplifting as part of their law enforcement duties, the specific question here focuses on the rights of a merchant in the context of shoplifting. Citizens may have the ability to detain someone in certain situations, but it is typically the merchant who is granted this legal authority explicitly for theft in their establishment. Journalists do not possess any such authority regarding arrests in cases of shoplifting.