Which circumstances permit a private citizen to detain another individual?

The correct choice is based on the legal principles surrounding citizen’s arrest and the circumstances under which a private citizen is authorized to detain another individual. A private citizen is permitted to detain another individual when they have witnessed a felony being committed or have knowledge that a felony has been committed. This is mainly due to the severity of felonies and the potential threat they pose to public safety.

When it comes to a breach of peace, this typically involves actions that disrupt public order, which can also justify the detention of a person by a private citizen. This reflects the legal understanding that in certain serious situations, immediate action is necessary to prevent further harm or to ensure that the individual does not escape before law enforcement can arrive.

For the other situations provided, they typically do not meet the required legal standards for a private citizen to detain someone. A verbal altercation does not imply an immediate threat or criminal act that warrants detention. Suspicion of intent to commit an offense lacks the necessity of having witnessed an actual crime. A minor theft, often regarded as a misdemeanor, does not provide the same level of justification for a citizen’s arrest as a felony would, making it insufficient for lawful detention without further context.