(a) An officer who has a writ of execution or criminal process for the arrest of a person whom he or she has reason to believe is on a public carrier may notify the operator of the carrier thereof. The operator shall thereupon detain the carrier a reasonable length of time at any place where it is scheduled to stop, and before it leaves the State, to enable the officer to examine the carrier and, if found, to arrest and remove the person against whom he or she has the writ of execution or criminal process.

(b) An operator who, after due notice from an officer holding a writ of execution or criminal process as specified in subsection (a) of this section, refuses or neglects to detain the carrier, and in consequence thereof the person sought to be arrested escapes from the borders of this State, if for a civil action, shall be liable to the plaintiff in an action of tort on this statute, for all damages arising therefrom. If for a criminal action, he or she shall be fined not more than $100.00. (Amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 107, eff. March 29, 1972.)