A. Prohibited: It shall be unlawful to commit the crime of shoplifting. A person commits the crime of shoplifting when he knowingly takes possession of any unpurchased goods, wares or merchandise of a value of less than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), owned or held by and offered or displayed for sale by any store or mercantile establishment, with the intention of converting such goods, wares or merchandise to his own use, without paying the purchase price thereof.

B. Concealment Of Goods: If any person wilfully conceals unpurchased goods, wares or merchandise of value of less than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) owned or held by and offered or displayed for sale by any store or other mercantile establishment, such concealment constitutes prima facie evidence that the person intended to convert the same to his own use without paying the purchase price therefor within the meaning of subsection A of this section. (Ord. 36, Series 2013)

C. Questioning Of Person Suspected Of Shoplifting Without Liability: If any person conceals upon his person or otherwise carries away any unpurchased goods, wares or merchandise held or owned by any store or mercantile establishment, the merchant or any employee thereof or any police officer, acting in good faith and upon probable cause based upon reasonable grounds may detain and question such person, in a reasonable manner for the purpose of ascertaining whether the person has committed shoplifting. Such questioning of a person by a merchant, merchant's employee, or police officer does not render the merchant, merchant's employee, or police officer civilly or criminally liable for slander, false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, or unlawful detention. (Ord. 13, Series 1981)