My aunt was detained in a grocery store for over an hour, threatened with handcuffs and questioned by a security officer after being accused of stealing.

Mall security in a former life. A place that invites the public.

Every entrance to the mall has a list of rules. They include your typical: no causing a disturbance, no running, no swearing, no skateboarding etc.

But they also included: any act that violates ANY law at any level of government. If you commit any act that violates any law on the books, you can be arrested for engaging in a prohibited activity.

It's a messy way to arrest, it isn't often used, and I personally wouldn't do it. But it would be lawful.

Again, hundreds of arrests over the last few years. 99% of them for trespassing. No charges aginst security, no successful lawsuits.

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