A Chinatown grocery store owner made an appearance in a Toronto courtroom on Monday and had his case put over to late July.

David Chen was hoping the charges against him would be dropped, but the Crown has decided to proceed with its case despite petitions supporting the grocer.

Chen is facing four charges including kidnapping and forcible confinement following an incident in May when he chased and held a man he believed had stolen some plants from his store.

Chen tied up the alleged thief, but when police arrived, they arrested Chen and two other store employees and charged them with kidnapping.

Chen's supporters say he was just trying to protect his business.

Ricky Chan of the Victim's Rights Action Committee said outside the court that he was "disappointed" by the Crown's decision.

"I think ultimately it will get dropped," he said. "To me, I don't think there is substantial case behind the law to press those charges."

Chan says the issue of shoplifting — and how stores react to it — affects all shopkeepers, not just those in Chinatown.

He says anytime someone tries to make a citizen's arrest they could run into trouble with the law.

The Victims' Rights Action Committee is sending a letter to the Ontario attorney general outlining their concerns.

David Chen was ordered to make his next court appearance on July 27.