PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would allow private citizens to arrest suspected shoplifters, in an attempt to prevent organized retail theft.
Law enforcement officials have been warning consumers in Arizona about thieves stealing large hauls of merchandise from Valley stores and selling the stolen goods.
Arizona lawmakers are seeking to dampen this type of criminal behavior by empowering citizens to detain and arrest individuals they suspect of stealing from a retail store.
Senate Bill 1613 amends existing state law regarding how someone can make a citizen's arrest to include circumstances where an Arizonan witnesses an instance of retail theft.
State Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-District 17, said local stores are spending money on security guards who are forced to watch shoplifters walk out of stores with stolen merchandise. There needs to be a way for staff to detain a suspect long enough until a police officer can arrive and facilitate the arrest, the senator said during a hearing last month.
Democratic lawmakers expressed concern about citizens being emboldened to use unnecessary violence against others within the bounds of the proposed law.
The bill passed out of the Arizona Senate in a 16-14 vote with no support from Democrats. The bill will now go to the House.
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