Long Beach burglary suspect dies in police custody
The man, who apparently scuffled with residents who tried to detain him, was described as 'alert, oriented and coherent' when placed in a squad car, but stopped breathing soon after.
A man described as a suspected burglar who reportedly screamed for help as he was being detained by neighbors, died in police custody, Long Beach officials said Sunday.
Officers arrived at the house on the 600 block of Elm Avenue after receiving report of a burglary at 9:15 p.m. Saturday. They found the suspect injured from his struggle with the neighbors, said Jackie Bezart, public information officer for the Long Beach police.
Before the police arrived, residents reported hearing screams for help from the apartment where the suspect was being held, Bezart said. Officers used "necessary force" to take the suspect into custody after he became combative, authorities said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the death of the suspect, described by county coroner's office only as a black adult male. A coroner's investigator was looking into the cause, and homicide detectives were interviewing neighbors and witnesses overnight. No arrests have been made, Bezart said.
The suspect had suffered lacerations to his hands from the scuffle, said Mike Duree, spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department, which sent paramedics after receiving a call from the officers at the scene. The man was treated for those injuries and declined to be taken to a hospital, Duree said.
Shortly after paramedics left, the suspect stopped breathing in the back seat of the squad car, Bezart said. Officers performed CPR, but the man was pronounced dead by paramedics who returned at 10:10 p.m.
Before he was placed in the vehicle, the suspect was "alert, oriented and coherent and answered questions appropriately," officials said.
Officials asked anyone with information to call Long Beach homicide detectives Terri Hubert or Russell Moss at (562) 570-7244.
victoria.kim@latimes.com
