Media boss performs citizen’s arrest of shoplifter in CBD supermarket – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

A prominent media boss has been surprised to learn that his actions may not have been entirely legal after having tackled a shoplifter while performing a “citizen’s arrest”.

National Business Review publisher Todd Scott said a man at Woolworths Metro on Albert St in the Auckland CBD appeared to be trying to take a box of liquor, and was intimidating staff.

An opportunity presented itself when the man was facing store staff and had his back to Scott.

“I took a running a tackle, because he was a big unit,” Scott said.

“Once I had the guy pinned to the ground, thumb locked, knee on the shoulder with my body weight on him, he was quite compliant.”

Scott said that he whispered some words into the man’s ear, which seemed to calm him down.

“After that, we helped him off the ground, and he shook the store manager’s hand and left.”

However, Scott was advised by the store manager that the tackle could be legally considered an assault. Later, police told him it was “best not to get involved”.

Scott said that since the incident he had been feeling “a bit embarrassed and confused”, having learnt that citizens’ arrests are only legal in exceptional circumstances.

“My wife is furious, so I’ve been keeping my head down.”

A spokesperson from Woolworths refused to comment on the shoplifting incident, saying “we do not want to be part of amplifying…