What law applies in the case of a theft at a Border Patrol checkpoint? Who can make an arrest?
<p>Travelers A and B are waiting in line at a border patrol checkpoint, when traveler B attempts to steal something of traveler A's. Can a Border Patrol officer intervene, or would they have to summon a state/city/county peace officer? Would the crime be prosecuted and tried under federal law or state law?</p>

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<p>Can a Border Patrol officer intervene</p>
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<p>Yes.</p>
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<p>Would they have to summon a state/city/county peace officer?</p>
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<p>If no federal law was violated (see below), then yes.  If both federal and state laws were violated then they could still choose to let the state take the case.</p>
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<p>Would the crime be prosecuted and tried under federal law or state law?</p>
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<p>State law, most likely.  Federal laws against <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-31" rel="nofollow noreferrer">theft</a> and <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-103" rel="nofollow noreferrer">robbery</a> apply only in certain specific contexts.</p>

united-states jurisdiction theft borders