(a) An owner or agent of a store who has probable cause to believe that a theft has occurred or is occurring on or about the store and who has probable cause to believe that a specific person has committed or is committing the theft:

1. (1) may:

   1. (A) detain the person and request the person to identify himself or herself;
   2. (B) verify the identification;
   3. (C) determine whether the person has in the person's possession unpurchased merchandise taken from the store;
   4. (D) inform the appropriate law enforcement officers; and
   5. (E) inform the person's parents or others interested in the person's welfare that the person has been detained; but

2. (2) shall not ask the person to make a statement that acknowledges that the person committed the theft or conversion or waives any of the person's legal rights if:

   1. (A) the person is less than eighteen (18) years of age; and
   2. (B) the person has not been afforded an opportunity to have a meaningful consultation with his or her parent, guardian, custodian, or guardian ad litem.

(c) The detention must:

1. (1) be reasonable and last only for a reasonable time; and

2. (2) not extend beyond the arrival of a law enforcement officer or two (2) hours, whichever first occurs.

   As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.204, SEC.11; P.L.77-2009, SEC.6.