§ 51-21-03 — Detention of suspect - Procedure

Any peace officer or merchant who reasonably believes that a person has committed, or is
in the process of committing, theft may detain such person, on or off the premises of a retail
mercantile establishment, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time for all or
any of the following purposes:
1. To require the person to identify oneself.
2. To verify such identification.
3. To determine whether such person has in the person's possession unpurchased
merchandise and, if so, to recover such merchandise.
4. To inform a peace officer of the detention of the person and surrender custody of that
person to a peace officer.
5. In the case of a minor, to inform a peace officer, the parents, guardian, or other private
person interested in the welfare of that minor of this detention and to surrender
custody of said minor to the person informed.