Suspect Dies in Police Custody

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, June 3, 1999
The Los Angeles Police Department is conducting a law enforcement activity related death investigation that occurred in the San Pedro area.

On Wednesday, June 2, 1999, at approximately 4:25 p.m., Harbor Area uniformed CRASH officers accompanied by a Los Angeles County Probation Department officer, were driving in the area of the Rancho San Pedro Housing Community, when they recognized the suspect, who was in violation of his probation.

Upon observing the officers, the suspect fled. Both officers pursued him on foot and apprehended him a short distance away. The suspect failed to comply with the officer’s commands and resisted arrest. After a brief struggle, the suspect was subdued and handcuffed. After taking the suspect into custody, the officers noticed that the suspect had stopped breathing. The officers requested a Los Angeles City Fire Department Rescue Ambulance to respond to their location.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics transported the suspect to an area hospital where the suspect failed to respond to medical treatment. The suspect was pronounced dead. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic in his 20’s. The name of the suspect is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is handling the investigation.

For Release 10:10 am PST
June 3, 1999