Get down. >> I didn't have to do that. >> Get down. >> YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. I'M TELLING YOU I'M GOING to give IT TO YOU. NO. I'M GOING TO GIVE >> STOP. >> HE HE HE OFFICER NO. >> STAY DOWN. PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> I CAN'T BREATHE. >> On June 24th, 2024, at a Target store in Palm Beach County, Florida, loss prevention flagged two women pushing carts loaded with approximately $800 in unpaid merchandise. One woman was taken into custody and charged with grand theft, a third-degree felony, along with a resist-without-violence charge that the prosecutor later dropped. This is that stop. What makes this encounter analytically significant is the precise moment physical contact was initiated and whether that moment was legally defensible. >> I can't breathe. >> All right, stand up. I have a couple questions, all right? >> breathe >> What's the matter? Are you having chest pain right now? >> Yes, my heart. I'm going to get my receipt. You don't have to touch me. >> to go right there. You don't need to >> Okay, I'm going to get Okay. >> Okay, so >> Okay, that's fine. I'll show you my receipt. >> You got it over there. Why do you have to go to your car for? >> Cuz I got it on my phone, sir. >> Okay, then show me on your phone. Okay. Stop. >> I said I DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. >> OKAY, THAT'S FINE. Do you have your receipt? >> I I just I just came out of my with her. >> Okay, do you have your receipt or not? >> I'm not with her, so I don't know what they have going on. >> Listen to me. The two separate >> I just said I don't know what they have going on. They have nothing to do with me. >> listen. Okay. >> That's what I'm saying. >> That's what I'm asking you. If you >> have I don't know what's going on. >> Stop and listen to me. If you didn't steal, do you have a receipt? >> Yes, I have my receipt. >> Where is >> But I'm trying to figure OUT WHY HE RUNNING AFTER ME. I don't even I don't even know him. >> Where is your receipt? >> It's in my purse, but I'm saying I don't even know them. >> Let me have your receipt then. I'll get you out of here in 10 seconds. >> I DON'T BUT WHY WOULD I SHOW MY RECEIPT? I DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM. >> Let me have your receipt. >> Okay, give me a second. I'll give it to you. I don't even like what the hell >> Ma'am, stop. >> to give it to you, sir. >> Stop and give me the receipt right here. >> Okay, can you shut up? I'm going to give it to you. >> Go to my storage, J's phone. I'm waiting for it to update. I paid with Apple Pay. >> Well, let me just see the receipt. You're good. >> I said I just paid baby with my phone. >> I'm saying when it when it loads. >> What is she doing? >> She's got a five finger discount. >> I'm going to GIVE IT TO >> STOP. >> I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU, SIR. >> GET DOWN. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. >> GET DOWN. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. I'M TELLING YOU I'M GOING to give it to you. I'm going I'M GOING TO >> STOP. >> GET OUT. GET OUT. I'M TELLING YOU. NO. >> STAY DOWN. PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> GET OUT FROM ME. >> PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO >> STOP. >> I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. >> STOP. >> BRO, Y'ALL ARE DOING THE MOST. >> PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK NOW. >> GET OUT. I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. >> You ain't giving no nothing now. >> Damn, y'all doing the most. >> We're detaining one now. >> Bro, I'm going to give IT TO YOU. Y'ALL DOING TOO MUCH. >> PUT YOUR HANDS THERE. >> BRO, I'm going to GIVE Y'ALL THE RECEIPT. >> YEAH, there's another black female. 23 for description. >> to give y'all the receipt, sir. >> She was over there in a brown dress or something. >> TO GIVE Y'ALL THE RECEIPT. >> WE GOT THE one with black pants and a burgundy sweater. >> Bro, I'm going to give Y'ALL THE RECEIPT. >> SHUT UP ABOUT the receipt. That time is past. I asked you FOR IT. >> Y'ALL TRYING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. SIR, YOU CAN GET YOUR KNEE OUT MY BACK. I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU THE RECEIPT, SIR. >> I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE THIS ONE started fighting with me and took off. >> No, I was trying to give you the receipt and you grabbed me. >> I don't know where the other one is. We have 18 or 19? >> The 65 isn't confirmed yet. >> I don't know the value yet. >> I'm trying to give you the receipt, sir. I'm telling you I'm trying to GIVE YOU THE RECEIPT. >> You don't have 31 in the other one, right? >> Nope. >> I'm trying to give you the receipt. >> 54 on K9, we do not have charges for 31. >> you. >> I'm not sure the value of the 65 yet. >> Can I just sit Can I just sit up? Please, let me just sit up. >> Did we double lock these? >> You got me in handcuffs. >> Sit down. If you If you run again, you'll have a lot more problems. >> I'm not going to run. It's wet. It's wet. >> Yes, EMS for one. She's got a scuff on her elbow. Stop moving. He's double locking so they don't get tighter. >> Bro. >> About $100? Okay. And you guys want to prosecute? >> Absolutely. >> Do you know where the other one went? >> Uh she took off when she started running, so she went that way. >> Which way? >> West side. >> But do you know which way she went out? >> Uh no confirmation on that. No. >> I'll tell you, I almost hit that one there. It ran through. >> So it's worth $100 with the LPO. >> It's going to be about $800 worth of items. >> What's the description of the other one? >> A black dress. Um >> I'm trying to give you the receipt. >> [laughter] >> a black dress. Not sure which direction she went. >> password receipt. Bro. >> Yes, we're 10-4. >> I'm trying to give you the [ __ ] receipt. That guy was doing too much. >> Just bring her back to the car. >> Okay. >> Are you okay? >> Yeah, I just need my glasses over there. I'm trying to give you the receipt. >> 54th Street West towards possibly towards Hoyne, but not sure. Do you know what she was wearing, the one that ran? Sorry. Do you know what she was wearing? >> She was wearing a gray cardigan or sweater. And then she had long black hair. And then um >> Gray sweater, long black hair. >> For the one that ran. >> Yes. >> Any other scraps? We're past the receipt at this point. You understand that, right? >> Well >> We're walking back to the car now. My car's parked on the left side. >> They're over there. Can you grab them though? >> What? >> Which way did she run? >> No, I left her when I saw you fighting. I'm trying to give you the [ __ ] receipt, bro. >> Is there another one around? >> Yeah, she was 10-12 over there, and then I left when she was fighting him. >> I wasn't fighting him. I was trying to give him the receipt, but he grabbed me. >> Shut up with the receipt. >> What do you mean, shut up? >> All right, take her to the car. Put her in the car. >> Call my lawyer. >> I know. We'll get him. Come on. >> How much time? >> Four and a half. I I don't know. We we didn't get a chance to talk to him. Hey Sarge, I got to look for my handcuffs real quick. You're talking about with the gray with the with the black Honda uh black >> Uh black Altima. >> Uh I don't see where it is. Just from prior incidents, that's the vehicle they were using. >> What was that? >> Uh that's the prior vehicle from prior >> Okay, so that's >> That's the Nissan. Is that the second one right there? >> I think that's it actually. Yeah, I would venture >> check that one right there. That black trunk. Check that black vehicle. See if it has damage to the trunk. Oh, the Nissan? >> Hey, was there any other mention? >> Uh she might. >> [music] >> I scuffed my knuckle a little bit. I'm good. >> So, we only got one detained? >> One detained, one outstanding. >> So, there's only two parties involved? >> So, Bro, >> I was trying to give him the receipt. >> He took off as soon as I tried to run. >> Because he he tried to grab me and I was trying to tell him to let me go. I was going to give him the receipt. >> All right, you sticking to that? >> Ma'am, you have anything in your pockets? >> No. >> I'm using the back of my hand, all right? >> Huh? >> I'm using the back of my hand. >> Which side? >> Oh, can I breathe? I don't want to be closed in. >> Well, we got to see him running. >> Oh, bro. I was literally trying to give him my receipt and he grabbed me. >> Okay, you could have given him the receipt. >> That's what I was trying to do, but he grabbed me. >> Like I said, stick to that, okay? You stick to that one. And you tried to run, why? >> Because he tried to grab me. What is he grabbing me for? That's what I was trying to figure out. What is he grabbing me for? >> All right, put your feet in. We got the AC running. You can put it >> Okay, can I I I don't want to feel claustrophobic cuz I do have a heart murmur. >> to have to go in there. >> I know, I understand. I just want to catch my breath real quick. >> real quick. All right, you're good now. Put them in. EMS is going to come over here and wait with you DOWN THERE, OKAY? >> MY ELBOW. MY TOES. >> THE LAST QUESTION. >> SIR, I'M NOT I WAS trying to get my receipt and he grabbed >> Why were you running away? >> No, I was just trying to get my receipt cuz I was I was doing that and he tried to grab me. >> Yeah? >> Yeah, but he was trying to grab me. >> Cuz you didn't stop. >> No, you were trying to grab me and I told you I was trying to get my receipt out my pocket. >> Okay, listen, it's all on camera. We're not going to argue about it. Do you need medical attention? >> Yes. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> So, what's going on? What's bothering you? >> My elbow. >> Elbow? >> It's my heart. I have a heart murmur. >> This delays the whole booking process. All right. >> I was trying to show you my receipt, sir, and you you grabbed me. >> I'm not arguing with you about what you were trying to do. >> arguing with you. Okay. >> It was all on body cam. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> She didn't have ID on her when you grabbed her. >> I don't know. >> Where's her purse? All right, watch out for the watch out >> Slide the key over there. >> I know. Wa- watch your leg. I don't want to slam it on Hey, just stay with her. >> Just stay in stay in there. >> They're in the car here, but Huh? >> There's a paper bag with the keychain. There's a broken chain. I don't know if that's from the tussle or whatever, but it's a broken chain and the two sandals are right over there. >> Yeah, yeah. That's where she started fighting. >> her key right here in the back pocket. >> The the Nissan? >> Did you find her purse? >> I didn't find her purse. I found the key. Is there >> No, but so She had a purse on her. So, basically I So >> Which way did she go, sir? Backtrack. >> No, I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about the one that I fought with. No, there was somebody here. I don't know which direction she went. My trainee was talking with her. >> Get P to figure out which way she went cuz she didn't get in that car. >> What did she look like? >> All I remember is black female cuz I focused on her. >> Oh, any clothing? >> Uh he says thinks he thinks she was wearing all black. I'll I'll try to find out. Yes. Uh yeah, I I don't have much. Is that Is that the LP office? >> No. Uh can you let me get in? >> Yeah, if someone could let me in there, please. The LP office? Okay. >> That's the one that's missing. >> No, that's the one I fought with. Oh, wait, no. >> No, no, no. >> I'm sorry, you're right, you're right. Did you see which way she went after we went after the other girl? >> Uh she went west side, but I I wasn't paying attention to her. Really, I was watching the guys chase her down. >> Okay. Well, my trainee ain't chasing her down. He caught her. >> I got one receipt. Um he's working on the other one, but I saw something in her >> Were they Were they together? >> Yeah. >> They always come in together. >> both pushing two separate carts. >> Yeah. So, the second one, she came out, and so Mike, my trainee, spoke with the first one. >> Mhm. >> And then I saw the other one come out. I said, "Is she involved?" He goes, "Yeah." And she starts going this way. They start separating. >> Mhm. >> So, I walked to my girl. I'm like, "Hey, stop." She was, "I ain't with her." Starts freaking out. And I said She's like, "I ain't stealing nothing. I don't know what that is." I said, "Show me your receipt." I said, "If you got a receipt, I'll get you out of here right now." I got it. It's in my purse. Okay, give it to me. So, she starts backing up. So, I come around the car. I said, "Stop. Show me your receipt." I'm going to show you a receipt. She kept backing up. >> Mhm. >> I said, "Stop." So, that's when I grabbed her wrist. She pulled away. I grabbed her sweater. It came off, and she took off running. So, I ran after her. I'm slow as hell. My trainee caught her. So, we got her down, cuffed her, and that's that. >> Crazy. I've never seen anything like that in my life. >> Under Florida Statute 812.015, subsection 3, a merchant or loss prevention officer may detain a person suspected of retail theft, but the detention must be conducted in a reasonable manner. And reasonable manner applies to both the method and the timing of contact, not just the intent behind. In this stop, the officer grabbed the subject's wrist while she was still searching her phone for an Apple Pay receipt. She had said it was loading, not that she refused. At the moment of physical contact, no flat refusal had occurred, and that distinction is where the The legal analysis of this stop begins. Where the statute holds is on the broader picture loss prevention had a full cart, four prior incident reports at the same location, and a subject who is actively backing away while verbally promising to comply. Where the statute's protection gets complicated is the gap between backing away and refusing those are not the same thing under Florida law. And that gap is what the prosecutor had to resolve. >> Under Illinois versus Wardlow, 528 US 119 2000, unprovoked flight from law enforcement supports reasonable suspicion and justifies pursuit. Once the subject ran, the officer had lawful grounds to chase. The tension Wardlow creates here is that the flight itself was triggered by contact that may not have been properly initiated, which is precisely what the prosecutor had to weigh on the resist charge. Under Florida statute 843.02, resisting an officer without violence requires that the officer be in the lawful execution of a legal duty at the moment of resistance. If the wrist grab was premature, made before the subject had issued a definitive refusal, then the officer was not in the lawful execution of that duty at that precise moment. And a pull away does not meet the threshold for the charge. That is almost certainly why the resist without violence charge was dropped. The physical act of pulling away from a detention that had not yet been lawfully triggered does not constitute knowing resistance under 843.02. The prosecutor read the sequence, identified the gap, and made the call. The charge was gone before the case went anywhere. Under Graham versus Connor, 490 US 386 1989, the reasonableness of force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the moment it is applied, not with hindsight. The three controlling factors are the severity of the crime, whether the subject poses an immediate threat, and whether she is actively evading arrest or resisting. In this stop, the alleged crime was grand theft under Florida statute 812.014, a third-degree felony for property valued at $750 or more. The subject was actively fleeing on foot when the trainee made the apprehension. Under Graham, the takedown is the more defensible part of this encounter. It is the wrist grab that opened the legal question. Under Miranda versus Arizona, 384 US 436 1966, a suspect must be advised of their rights before custodial interrogation. And once they invoke the right to silence, questioning must cease immediately. Detective Brossette offered Miranda warnings before asking a single substantive question, and stopped the moment the subject declined to speak. That is textbook compliance with both Miranda and Edwards versus Arizona. Under Florida statute 812.014 subsection 2, the felony threshold is $750. The subject later disputed the $800 total, claiming the figure combined merchandise from both carts. If her individual cart fell below 750, the grand theft felony charge would reduce to petit theft, a misdemeanor. Target store camera footage would resolve that question with precision. Under Florida statute 401.45, law enforcement has a duty to address medical complaints from individuals in custody. In this stop, the subject reported a heart murmur, difficulty breathing, and an elbow abrasion. EMS was called, the handcuffs were double locked to prevent tightening, and she was transported to Bethesda West under arrest. An arrest does not end the duty of care, and the officers here satisfied it. Where this stop lands legally, the loss prevention identification was solid. The foot pursuit was lawful once flight began. Miranda was handled correctly by the detective, and medical care was provided without delay. The single point of legal exposure, the wrist grab before a definitive refusal, is what cost the resist charge. And it is the moment every party in this encounter will describe differently. >> Um She hit my knee a little bit, so that was fun. Yeah, we got bad reception in here. >> Uh you guys are going to >> I'm coming in. >> What thought? >> So, what kind of shirt should I actually have on? >> I thought they gave me like all the 88 kids, cuz this kid stuff is >> I just sent the picture out to the group. >> Okay. >> I'll listen. Do you have a car over here, though? >> I think >> She parked >> No, I just sent the picture to you. >> I saw all that. >> Okay. >> She doesn't look like her in that. >> Who? >> The girl. >> No. >> She doesn't look like her in that. >> Who did she hit? >> She hit anyway? >> No. >> Okay. >> That's why I said 5431 Lena. >> Yeah, it it just went really fast. >> I mean, that's why I said we were chasing. >> Cuz last thing I heard was dirt the laundry. That's the last thing I heard. >> Detectives usually working these cases. >> I'll give you the case. >> Uh it should be burst out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. pretty good. >> Uh we have four follow-up reports. >> With with this with these girls or just in general? >> With the one that we had in custody actually, specifically. >> So, four follow-ups here? >> Yes. I'll just take that guy with us then. >> If you think an active therapy would be regular therapy if we ever get her >> All right, that's good for now. Let's um I guess let's get the other numbers and then I'm going to send you a link so you can send me the videos and all that good stuff. >> This might be the other one, more recent now as demo video. >> All right. >> Uh yeah, let's just go off duty for now. >> Yeah, that's good. Um let me let them know so they can maybe they might want to contact them, see if they want to come out. >> [sighs] >> I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Sir. Can't breathe. Oh. >> I just need to ask you a couple questions, all right? >> Can't breathe. >> What's going on there? Do you have chest pain right now? >> Yes, my heart. >> You guys chase them out? >> I did. >> Where was she running? >> Uh I was with the other one over here. Asking her for a receipt, she's like, "I don't So, she's looking for a receipt. I said I saw him over there by that black car fighting with her. So, I turned around and I told him and I started running that way, she hauled ass that way. And I was like, >> So you guys find over there on my >> What's going on? >> I was talking to her before this situation. Yeah, right. >> What did the What did the What did the other one look like? Did you see her? >> Yeah, I was talking to her right here. >> She's wearing like a really tight like one-piece dress. She's here somewhere. She didn't get in that car. >> I can I can ID her right here. >> She's in a one-piece dress. She started to walk that way. When I was asking her for a receipt, she started walking that way. >> Yep. >> So then what? >> Uh as soon as I saw that number in a tussle with her, I I booked it over there and chased her. That one hauled ass over there, too. And then that's where I chased her and knocked her down over there. >> They went over that way? >> She hauled ass that way. This one was initially trying to go that way. So I don't know if they parked over there or something. I can go over there and stand. >> Well, let's >> Yeah. >> You've got the ball of information. If you saw her personally, describe her height, weight, hair, clothing. >> to say she had a chest tattoo. >> We'll make sure you put it over the radio. What's her mom's name? >> 6052 Just an updated description on the one that's not 10-12. She's wearing like a light brown tight and maybe thigh-length dress, possibly a bonnet. Um she looked like she may have been pregnant and she had a chest tattoo, I believe. >> Okay, that's fine. No worries. Same information on both. >> This one is Yeah. >> Okay, got it. >> Yeah. >> Just started asking if she even wanted to tell me anything. Can you tell me how old you are? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, how old are you? >> Yeah. >> How old are you? We're going to have to figure out how old you are. 20 what? >> 26 >> 26 26 >> 26 >> All right, try to hold still. still. Try to hold still. All right, hold still. Hold still for me. Hold still. Still moving. Hold still. That's That's as loose as I can make them. Forget it. He's not cooperating. All right, we're All right, I'll check them. I'll check them. I'll check Here you go. Excuse me, turn around. Here, lean back. Put your legs Okay, come on. Step on out. You okay? You okay? You okay? It's loose. All right. Here you go. You going to tell us what's going on with your cuffs? It's fine. Yes, you got to go to the hospital. >> I got a heart murmur. I need her to help me not to win. Not to win. I was not fighting with him. >> Do you have medical conditions that you live with? >> I'm all right, mama. >> We're going to put you on a stretcher. Where do you want us to take you? You got a local hospital here. >> Um Wherever you want to go. >> Bethesda West? >> Um Yeah, probably. >> We're going to go to Bethesda West. Bethesda West? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, she's under arrest. >> Yeah. >> Hold on. You want to call her to call her to the the the >> Yeah, sure. Lean forward if you can. I got to get the seat on the bottom. Can you lean forward? Can you stand up? Stand up. So, what medical conditions >> I'm all right, mama. >> That's Do you have any medications you take daily? >> Yeah. >> Did you use drugs or alcohol today? When's your birthday? Turn around for me. Turn around. ARE YOU LEAVING IN A HURRY? BIRTHDAY WHAT WHAT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY? >> OH, YEAH. >> NO, it's not. She's about to She's about >> Can Can you tell Can you tell me your birthday? >> I I can't breathe. >> Listen, we're taking you to the emergency room. I understand. We want to help you. >> to get my brother. >> Okay. All right. Yeah, two big ass shopping carts full of food. Like you. >> Not like one or two things, like a whole >> No, a whole ass cart full of it. You want this one? >> No. >> Need some chips in my hand. They got it? All right, yeah. I got to write it down. Mikey? >> Yeah, it's Mikey. >> Go ahead, Mikey. Yeah, he's ready to go. Yeah, he is. >> Okay. >> I'll just do something with that photo over there. Just Just over here. I agree. >> How you doing? Your name is Sharde? I'm Detective Burrows. And basically with Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. So, I want to talk to you about a couple of cases. Um Today is June 24th, 2024 at 17:33 hours. We are at PBSO District 6 and can you state your first and last name for me? >> My name is Shani Latimer. >> I don't have one. >> No phone? Okay. Okay, so um I wanted to talk to you about a couple incidents that happened previous to this date. Um I don't know if you want to speak about them or not. Um I don't know if you're interested in speaking about what happened today or in previous dates. >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> Hm? What are you talking about? >> About shoplifting. So um I can Mirandize you first. Um if you want to talk to me, that's fine. >> I don't really want to talk. >> What's that? >> I don't want to talk. I'm good. >> Okay. I advise you what you're being arrested for. >> Okay. >> All righty, then we won't speak. Um it is 1741 hours. >> So, you know what all they charged me for? >> Yes. So, this is what's on the paper. >> Mhm. >> Okay? It's called grand theft. That's for theft over $750. And then resist without violence because they stated that you ran from them. >> Mhm. >> Okay? >> Just those two? >> Say again? >> Just those two? >> Just those two. So, with that said okay? >> Mhm. >> Have you been arrested before? >> Yeah, a while back. >> A while back? >> Mhm. >> A year or more? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Were you convicted of it? >> Um I did um I had did like this kind of um probation thing and I finished successfully. >> You finished the what? I'm sorry. >> The I had finished the the like this probation thing successfully. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, with that said, I don't know So, this is how it generally works. You're You're charged with this. >> So, so basically they uh I'm getting to to put They they like rung me up for two buggies. >> They rung you up for two buggies? >> Yes. >> What's a buggy? >> Like cuz when we was coming out, I was pushing out a buggy and another girl was doing so so, but it seems to me that they charged me for both. >> Okay. >> If it came up to >> you or law enforcement charged you for both? >> No, I don't know if they rung it all up for it to be $800 cuz I didn't steal $800. >> is a buggy? >> No, it's not a It's not a buggy. It's like it was the cart, you know, like >> Oh, the cart. Okay, I got it. Yeah. I understand. >> But I didn't have nothing 800 I didn't my The stuff that I had was not 800 and some dollars that I had in my cart. That's what I'm trying to figure out why it gets so high. >> I understand. Um I wasn't involved in the case, obviously. I just came in to transport you there. But they'll look and see through the cameras and they'll look and see cuz you know, Target So, if you're saying that that they didn't that they're wrong, >> Mhm. >> Target has good cameras, so they can see how much exactly >> Mhm. >> was in your buggy. >> Right. >> So, if it's less than that 750, then they'll they'll do uh corrections in the court. >> Okay. >> Okay? >> Mhm. >> On the outcome, the primary subject was arrested and charged with grand theft under Florida statute 812.014, a third-degree felony, and resist without violence under 843.02. The resist charge was subsequently dropped by the prosecutor. The second subject fled and was not apprehended on footage. Shawn Adams was separately charged with grand theft and resist without violence. The resist charge against him was also dropped. The final disposition of the grand theft charges is not publicly available at the time of this analysis. Grading the primary officer B+. He gave the subject multiple genuine chances to produce the receipt before any physical contact that is measured. Professional work. He called EMS without hesitation. Double locked the cuffs and kept the scene from escalating after the arrest. The deduction is the wrist grab before the receipt exchange reached a definitive refusal. 30 seconds of additional verbal patience would have removed the legal ambiguity entirely. Grading the trainee A-. He caught a fleeing felony suspect when the primary officer could not. Acted decisively under pressure and completed a clean apprehension. The minor deduction, the second subject was briefly in contact with the trainee before she fled. Closer attention at that moment may have prevented her escape. Strong performance for a first apprehension. The twisted knee was an acceptable cost. Grading Detective Brossette A. She placed Miranda warnings on camera before any substantive questions. Stopped the moment Adams invoked his right to silence. Noted the time of invocation and did not attempt to re-engage. When Adams voluntarily reopened the conversation to dispute the valuation, that was his choice. Nothing Brissette did after invocation constituted interrogation. This is how custodial interviews are conducted. Grading the primary subject D. She had a direct path out of this encounter. Stop moving and show the receipt. The officer told her explicitly, produce it and she would be free in 10 seconds. She verbally agreed to comply while continuing to back away. And that combination is what created the legal ambiguity and triggered the grab. Once she ran, a disputable detention became a lawful pursuit. The receipt was in her hand moments later. Showing it 90 seconds earlier ends the stop. Grading Shawn Adams, C+. He did the most important thing a suspect in custody can do. He invoked his right to silence early in the interview and avoided substantive answers during the formal interrogation. The deduction is what followed. He voluntarily reopened the conversation, disputed the valuation, and described the contents of his own cart. Anything a suspect initiates after invoking is still admissible. Invoking and then talking undercuts the protection. Grading loss prevention, C+. The identification of both subjects was correct for prior incident reports. Confirmed merchandise value. Both women were genuine shoplifting suspects. The gap is the timing of physical contact. The shopkeeper's privilege under Florida statute 812.015 does not immunize contact that occurs before the receipt process has reached a definitive refusal. The investigative work was sound. The contact timing created the legal problem. Lesson one, if you have a receipt, stop moving and show it. Under Florida statute 812.015 subsection 3, a merchant detention ends the moment you demonstrate a valid transaction. Backing away while verbally promising to comply is not the same as complying. The combination of movement and delay shifts the legal burden onto you. And once physical contact is made, the encounter changes entirely. Lesson two, the timing of physical contact controls the resist charge. Under Florida statute 843.02, resistance is only criminal if the officer is in the lawful execution of duty at the moment of contact. In this stop, the wrist grab before a flat refusal made that element contestable, which is why the prosecutor dropped the charge. The difference between a premature grab and a lawful detention can be 30 seconds of patience. Lesson three, flight converts a disputed detention into a lawful pursuit. Under Illinois versus Wardlow, 528 US 119 2000, unprovoked flight from law enforcement establishes reasonable suspicion regardless of what preceded it. Running did not help the subject's position. It made the takedown lawful and eliminated whatever procedural advantage the disputed wrist grab might otherwise have given her in court. Lesson four, invoke your right to silence and then stay silent. Under Miranda versus Arizona, 384 US 436 1966, once you invoke, law enforcement must stop questioning. But, the protection only runs against their questions, not your own statements. In this stop, Adams invoked correctly, and then voluntarily re-engaged, providing investigators with his own account of what was in his cart. Invocation protects you from their questions, not from yourself. Lesson five, appearing for court is not optional. Under Florida rules of criminal procedure, failure to appear on a pending charge results in a bench warrant and forfeits any procedural advantages already won, including dropped charges. In this stop, the dropped resist charge was a legal win. An active failure to appear on the remaining grand theft charge erases that advantage entirely, and adds a new criminal exposure on top of it. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to discuss in the comments below. We read all of them. If there is a body cam interaction or legal question you want covered, let us know.