UPDATE: RIVERSIDE: Theft suspect who died in custody ID’d

UPDATE: 11/03/2016 1:45 p.m.

 

RIVERSIDE – A man suspected of stealing wood pallets from a business died after officers took him into custody following a foot pursuit Monday, Oct. 31. The arrest that led to the in-custody death happened in the 8100 block of Mar Vista Court in Riverside.

Coroner’s officials have identified the subject as Edward Hayes III, 52, of Riverside. It was not yet known if Hayes had any pre-existing medical conditions that could have contributed to his death.

The incident began when citizens flagged down Riverside police officers down just after midnight regarding a subject who was stealing wood pallets from a business at the location.

Officers located Hayes at the business and attempted to contact him. When Hayes saw officers approaching him, he immediately ran from the them. With officers in foot pursuit, Hayes stopped a short distance away and was arrested without further incident.

According to police officials, Hayes’ condition almost immediately took a turn for the worse when the arresting officers noticed he was in medical distress. Officers immediately requested paramedics and other emergency first responders to the location. Riverside Fire and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene to provide medical aid for Hayes.

AMR medics transported Hayes to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff a short time later.

Detectives from the Riverside Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit along with an evidence technician responded to the scene to assume the investigation. Detectives were being assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner.

At this time the investigation is ongoing and the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Officials have encouraged anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Jim Brandt at (951) 353-7137. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

trevor main

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.