Merchant Protection Statute And False Imprisonment
Ed resides in Maine, a state that recognizes the merchant protection statute (also known as the shopkeeper's privilege). Ed attempts to shoplift steaks from a grocery store and is caught in the act by the owner. The owner and an employee gently restrain Ed in a back room, providing him with gourmet food and wine until the local sheriff arrives three days later. If Ed sues the grocer for the tort of false imprisonment, he will prevail if he can prove that:
Athe grocer lacked authority from the sheriff to detain him
Bthe gourmet food he was served was poorly prepared
Cthe grocer detained him for a reasonable time after reasonably suspecting him of shoplifting
Dhe did not intend to steal the steaks