A. A person who wilfully conceals or takes possession of property offered for sale by a wholesale or retail store or other mercantile establishment, without the knowledge or consent of the owner and with intent to convert the property to his own use without paying the purchase price, is guilty of shoplifting.
B. A person who alters, defaces, changes or removes a price tag or marker on or about property offered for sale by a wholesale or retail store, or other mercantile establishment, with intent to obtain the property at less than the marked or listed price, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
C. A peace officer, merchant or merchant's employee who has reasonable cause to believe a person is violating the provisions of this section may detain and interrogate the person in regard to the suspected violation in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time. In a civil or criminal action for slander, false arrest, false imprisonment, assault, battery or wrongful detention based upon a detention and interrogation pursuant to this section, it is a defense that the peace officer, merchant or merchant's employee had reasonable cause to believe the person was violating this section and the detention and interrogation were conducted in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time. (Ord. 90-16)