Opinion ID: 25431
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alleged Incidents of Wrongful Detention

Text: Simon owns and operates the Lakeline Mall in Austin, Texas where the events giving rise to Meade’s suit took place. Meade visited the Dillard’s Department Store in Lakeline Mall. As she browsed the merchandise, Meade was approached by Mike Ratliff (“Ratliff”), a Lakeline mall security guard, within view of James Walker (“Walker”), who was a Dillard’s security guard and a Cedar Park Police Officer.2 Ratliff demanded to see Meade’s purse and bag on the grounds that a Dooney and Bourke brand purse had been stolen. The purse carried by Meade was not of the type alleged to have been stolen. 1 Meade had also asserted claims against Simon Property Group (Delaware), Inc., however; the claims where dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 2 The mall security guards are employees of Simon, while the Dillard’s security guard is employed by Dillard’s. 2 Meade objected to the search but Ratliff insisted, stating that he had to check her purse because he was told that a black women had stolen a purse. Ratliff then grabbed Meade’s arm and pulled her to the center escalator lobby and demanded to see Meade’s identification. Meade produced a receipt for merchandise, her driver’s license, some credit cards, her checkbook, and a student identification card. After checking the items, Ratliff released Meade’s arm and apologized. After being released, Meade confronted Walker, who was standing nearby, concerning the incident. Walker merely shrugged and stated that he had nothing to do with it. After searching in vain for Ratliff, Meade returned to Walker, demanding a description of the black women who allegedly stole a purse. Walker then stated that she “better not mess” with him or else she would be arrested. Meade testified that at no time did Walker touch her. Shortly after Meade’s conversation with Walker, Ratliff reappeared accompanied by a fellow Lakeline mall security guard. Ratliff stated that some employees in the Dillard’s Woman’s Department had identified Meade as the person who used a credit card that was in the stolen purse. Ratliff told Meade that she had to accompany them so that the employees could identify her. During the course of this second encounter, Meade was brought in close proximity to Walker, but he did not say anything. Meade initially refused to accompany the Lakeline mall security guards. Ratliff told Meade that she must follow them or else he would arrest her. Meade then complied and Ratliff grabbed her arm and led her through the mall. Meade was then taken to a room apparently containing the Dillard’s’ employees, who could not identify her. Meade was cleared by the employees. However, Meade was still not released, as it was claimed that the same credit card was used at another mall store. Meade was then led to another mall establishment, The County Seat, where she was again 3 cleared by a clerk. Thereafter, Meade was released into the wrong level of an empty parking lot a half hour after the closing of the mall.