Man Dies in Police Custody
FULLERTON — An autopsy was performed Sunday on a 40-year-old Placentia man who died in police custody, and the Orange County district attorney’s office began an investigation into his death, authorities said.
Max Leyza Garcia was pronounced dead about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center after he was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs.
Capt. Lee Devore said officers went to the Days Inn at 1501 S. Raymond Ave. about 4:45 p.m. Saturday when a security guard called to report that a man was behaving oddly in a hotel hallway.
Garcia reportedly struggled with police in the hotel and in a patrol car as they took him to Fullerton City Jail. During booking, Devore said, officers thought Garcia was having trouble breathing. They summoned paramedics, he said, and tried to revive him by using cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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