To scanmead ... My day job is in this arena - it really doesn't work that way.  Physical detention is the policy of virtually every retail store in North America.

A lawsuit is highly unlikely - thieves make very unsympathetic plaintiffs and finding a willing attorney will be difficult.

As the perpetrator was removed from the scene by the police, her medical treatment will be on the local jurisdiction's tab.  BTW, the police do not take injured citizens from a crime scene in restraints unless they feel charges are justified (except in Oliver Stone's drug addled wet dreams).

The security guard need not worry for his job - most retail chains now enforce a zero tolerance policy against shoplifting lest they acquire a reputation as a soft touch and thereby endure staggering losses to organized theft rings.

Klebnor von die Polizei

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