Arrest
In short
An arrest is the act of a law enforcement officer taking a person into custody because they are suspected of committing a crime.
In plain words
Police catch someone and stop them from leaving so they can be questioned. This usually happens because the person broke a law or has a warrant against them.
A simple example
A police officer stops a person running from a shop with stolen goods and holds them at the station to investigate.
Why it matters
It allows the justice system to secure a suspect and prevent them from fleeing. It is a vital step in starting a criminal investigation or court case.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse an arrest with a conviction, which is the formal finding of guilt by a court.