That’s also an interesting idea. Section 494 may pose a problem in that regard. It states the following: “may arrest without warrant a person whom he finds committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property.” Let's apply that, for instance, to a situation where a wallet is stolen downtown. How can it be determined where exactly the offence was committed? How can the application be limited in that context? If it were only a matter of shoplifting, for instance, that provision would make sense, but I have a hard time understanding how it would work in other contexts the legislation applies to.
On March 6th, 2012. See this statement in context.