DISCLAIMER: This is meant to be a brief overview, and not a detailed explanation, of citizen’s arrests statutes. This is not considered legal advice. Research your local laws and consult an attorney and law enforcement before attempting to perform a citizen’s arrest.
BANG! You’re ripped out of a deep sleep to the sound of a circling helicopter. The light from the aircraft fills your bedroom with strong, white light. You peer down to your vehicles from your second-story suburban window. Then, you see something unbelievable … a foot being pulled beneath your vehicle as someone tries to hide under your truck parked in your driveway. What should you do? Can you conduct a citizen’s arrest? Will you get into trouble if you try to arrest or detain someone?
Citizen’s arrest is usually known as arrest by a private person. Arizona, for instance, defines a citizen’s arrest as:
A private
