Final answer:
Law enforcement officers are the only people authorized to arrest an associate or vendor following an apprehension. They must have reasonable grounds to believe the person has committed a crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only people who can authorize the arrest of an associate or vendor following an apprehension are law enforcement officers. These officers may include police officers, detectives, or prosecuting attorneys, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the arrest. In order to authorize an arrest, these law enforcement officers must have reasonable grounds to believe that the associate or vendor has committed a crime. The decision to arrest is typically based on evidence, witness statements, and other relevant factors.