§ 1342 Peace officers - Arrest without warrant.

If a police officer has good reason to believe someone stole merchandise from a store, whether it's a retail shop or a wholesale business, the officer can arrest that person right away without needing a warrant first. The officer just needs probable cause, meaning they have solid facts pointing to the person's guilt, not just a hunch.

The arrest also has to happen in a reasonable way. This means the officer can't use excessive force or handle the situation in an unfair or abusive manner. The law gives officers the power to act quickly when they suspect shoplifting or theft from a business, but it still expects them to treat the person with basic fairness during the arrest.

This rule exists because shoplifting often happens fast, and store theft can be hard to prove later if the person leaves the scene. By allowing officers to arrest on the spot when they have good reason, the law helps stop suspects before they get away, while still requiring the officer's actions to be reasonable and justified.