Man dies during shoplifting arrest in Richmond, police watchdog called in

Summary

RCMP say they were called to a store near Steveston Highway and Number 5 Road around 7:30 p.m.

Police were called because an employee of the store was 'struggling with a shoplifting suspect'

Shortly after police arrived they handcuffed the man and found him in 'medical distress'

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — After a man died during an arrest for shoplifting in Richmond Thursday, the province’s police watchdog has been called in.

RCMP say they were called to a store near Steveston Highway and Number 5 Road around 7:30 p.m., “to assist a Loss Prevention Officer who was struggling with a shoplifting suspect.”

“Frontline officers arrived on scene to assist and to arrest the man. Shortly thereafter, the members determined that man was in medical distress, unresponsive and started first aid measures.
The male was transported to a nearby hospital where despite life-saving measures performed by emergency medical personnel he died,” reads a release from Richmond RCMP.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) says the man was handcuffed by police shortly after they arrived at the store.

Paramedics spent 45 minutes trying to save the man before he was taken to hospital.

The IIO is called in to investigate anytime there is an “officer-related” case of serious injury or death, regardless of whether there are allegations of police wrongdoing.