An in-custody death investigation was underway Monday involving several agencies after a suspected trespasser died following his arrest by Riverside police officers.
The man, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, suffered fatal complications when he turned combative and was forcibly taken into custody shortly before 7 a.m. Friday, according to the Riverside Police Department.
Officer Ryan Railsback said the man locked himself in a bathroom stall at the McDonald’s in the 7400 block of Indiana Avenue, near Madison Street, and when he failed to respond to employees’ requests that he exit, they called 911.
Patrol officers entered the establishment to enforce the trespassing complaint, ordering the man to leave the property.
“He became combative, and force was used to detain him,” Railsback said. “Medical aid responded, and while being treated by paramedics, he remained combative before going into medical distress.”
The suspect passed out. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.
“Staff provided treatment over an hour,” the police spokesman said. “Despite their efforts, the man died.”
The Riverside County Force Investigations Detail was requested to conduct an inquiry. The unit, comprised of county prosecutors, sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit detectives and coroner’s personnel, will coordinate with the police department’s Robbery-Homicide Unit to determine whether excessive measures were applied, and what exactly caused the man’s death.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the team at 951-955-2777.