Suspect in Phoenix home burglary dies in police custody

PHOENIX — A man believed to be connected to an attempted home burglary in Phoenix died in police custody Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street when officers received calls about a man approaching the front doors of residential homes and acting erratic in the area, the Phoenix Police Department said in a press release.

Officers attempted to detain 36-year-old Enrique Cantu lll and were met with resistance, police said.

Cantu was placed in handcuffs and was laid on his side while awaiting an evaluation from the fire department based on his behavior, police said.

While Cantu was receiving treatment, authorities said he became unresponsive.

His handcuffs were removed and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The Office of the Medical Examiner will determine his cause and manner of death.

An investigation into the actions of the officers was ongoing.

Related

Department investigating death of 19-year-old in Phoenix police custodyA coin flip could decide this Arizona council race after two candidates tie at 67 votesSAFE Alert issued for missing 28-year-old man last seen in PhoenixTeen sentenced to 5 years for robbing 12-year-old at gunpoint in GilbertWatch researchers crawl inside a black bear den near FlagstaffPhoenix-area extreme heat warning extended again as potentially dangerous conditions persist