to arrest
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to arrest
To take a person who is suspected of a crime into custody in the name of the law; to arrest.
Die Polizei hat den Verdächtigen nach einer kurzen Verfolgung festgenommen.
The police arrested the suspect after a short chase.
'Festnehmen' (to arrest) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'fest' goes to the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Polizei nimmt den Dieb auf frischer Tat fest.
The police arrest the thief in the act.
The verb is made up of the adverb 'fest' (firmly) and the verb 'nehmen' (to take). The literal meaning is therefore to 'take someone firmly' or 'hold someone firmly', which describes the meaning 'verhaften' (to arrest) well.
Der Ladendetektiv hielt den Dieb fest, bis die Polizei kam, um ihn festzunehmen.
The store detective held the thief until the police came to arrest him.
This verb is used almost exclusively in the context of police, law, and crime. The typical subject of the sentence is 'die Polizei' (the police) or another authority.
Die Polizei konnte den Einbrecher noch am Tatort festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the burglar at the scene of the crime.
to arrest
Here, verhaften and festnehmen both refer to a legal measure in which a person is taken into custody. Verhaften emphasizes the formal arrest; festnehmen is especially appropriate when the police apprehend and detain a suspect. In many police reports, either word is possible.
Die Polizei nahm den Verdächtigen noch am Tatort fest.
The police arrested the suspect at the scene of the crime.
Die Polizei verhaftete den Mann aufgrund eines Haftbefehls.
The police arrested the man on the basis of an arrest warrant.
