Man dies after being taken into custody by Phoenix police

Authorities are investigating after a man died after being taken into custody by Phoenix police Tuesday morning.

Police say officers were called to a shopping center near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road around 10:20 a.m. after receiving reports of a suspicious man who was looking into vehicles and making obscene gestures.

When police arrived, the suspect ran into a convenience store nearby. An officer followed him to the store and when he went to open the door, the suspect threw a drink in the officer’s face, police said.

The suspect took off and the officer chased him on foot. The suspect continued to throw liquid from his drink at the officer while running, police said.

Eventually, the officer caught up to the suspect, got ahold of him, and both went to the ground. Police said the suspect struggled to get away and refused to comply with the officer’s commands.

Two other officers arrived and the suspect was subdued and handcuffed. The suspect was also placed in leg restraints due to his erratic behavior, police said.

The suspect was placed in the back seat of a patrol car while waiting for paramedics to arrive, police said. When officers opened the door to speak with him, the suspect was unresponsive.

Police said the suspect was removed from the vehicle, given water, and transported to the hospital where he later died of unknown causes.

The suspect’s death will be determined by the medical examiner, police said.