51-21-03. Detention of suspect - Procedure

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.