http://iamshane.com/2009/05/09/of-atms-iphones-and-911/
While the kid sounds like a tool :
...his detention by Armed Loomis Armored Car personnel was illegal. They are in no sense of the word police officers or any form of law enforcement, they are bodyguards for sacks of cash and nothing more. The illegality was the threat of physical intervention ("Don’t try to leave. I will tackle you.") and I'm upset by REI's handling of the situation.(header: Designer. Typophile. Rails/Rubyist. Still Vegan. Still Straightedge. And, Baby, I’m An Anarchist.)
REI's Loss Prevention was involved in this matter, the management could have mitigated this better, perhaps explaining that photography in a Private Business isn't permitted and deescalating the situation better than ending up in the arrest of a kid taking a picture. He now has a wrongful arrest suit on his hands.
This is enough to convince me to boycott REI until they apologize, pay compensation and agree not to pull this kind of crap again. Until then, I will be shopping at nearby Campmor, Efingers, Cabelas and EMS instead.