Deputies May Be Linked to Man’s Death : Autopsy: Preliminary results show actions by officers during struggle could have contributed to theft suspect’s demise.

The death of a Montebello man this week has been linked to injuries he received at the hands of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies while being arrested, authorities said Thursday.

According to preliminary results of an autopsy, the actions of two deputies and a 19-year-old Explorer Scout volunteer may have contributed to the death of Joseph Ornelas, who was struck repeatedly by deputies early Monday morning after he allegedly tried to steal a pickup truck from a convenience store parking lot in South El Monte.

The incident follows a recent series of fatal shootings and alleged criminal misconduct by deputies that has prompted public and official outcry.

The preliminary coroner’s report released to sheriff’s homicide investigators Wednesday said that Ornelas, 25, an ex-convict with a history of drug arrests, died of “forced injury to the neck and compression of the chest.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Salo, who is investigating Ornelas’ death, said the injuries were related to a fight with the suspect during which the deputies repeatedly struck Ornelas with their fists and flashlights.

But the coroner’s office said Thursday that the official cause of death has been deferred, pending the results of blood tests to determine if Ornelas was under the influence of drugs at the time. Those results will not be available for up to two weeks, authorities said.

The deputies--Ty Labbe, 23, and Peivi Tauiliili, 29, both of the Temple City Sheriff’s Station--are being investigated by the sheriff’s homicide division and the district attorney’s office.

The Explorer Scout, Chris Larson, is one of 40 Explorers who perform volunteer tasks at the station. Although Capt. Richard Walls of the Temple City station said Larson was on a ride-along with the deputies and is just a witness to the fight, Salo said Larson grappled with Ornelas during the arrest.

The incident, and the subsequent investigation, come at a time of intense scrutiny of the 8,000-member Sheriff’s Department.

Four fatal shootings by deputies in August and September prompted county supervisors last month to begin hearings and spurred Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner to announce a grand jury investigation.

Community groups have leveled accusations of brutality and racism against deputies, and civil rights groups have sought federal court orders to prevent what they say are civil rights violations by deputies at the Lynwood Sheriff’s Station.

Meanwhile, three deputies and two ex-narcotics officers face charges in a money-skimming scandal. Seven deputies have already been convicted in the case.

The incident that led to Ornelas’ death began about 2:30 a.m. Monday. Labbe, Tauiliili and Larson were in a convenience store parking lot at 1533 Peck Road, where the deputies were ticketing a motorist.

Ornelas reportedly ran across Peck Road past the deputies and into the convenience store, where he grabbed a broom. He then brandished a knife a few feet from the deputies and commandeered a truck from two men sitting inside it.

When deputies intervened, Ornelas resisted. Because of his erratic behavior and his strength, they concluded that Ornelas was under the influence of drugs, Salo said.

“This guy was only 5-foot-4 and those three . . . had a hell of a time with him,” Salo said.

The sergeant added that the deputies and the scout ranged from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighed from 180 to 220 pounds each.

In grappling with Ornelas, the deputies had to force him to the ground on his stomach before they could handcuff him. Because of that position, Ornelas might have received the injuries that caused his death, Salo said.

“Maybe if they had turned him over or got him up,” he said. “But one of the deputies had a strained knee and the other injured his hand.”

Salo said the coroner’s preliminary autopsy and testimony by witnesses give no indication that Ornelas was beaten to death by the deputies.

“There was no damage to the brain, his skull wasn’t cracked and he wasn’t choked to death,” Salo said.

Ornelas was a familiar figure to El Monte police and sheriff’s deputies in South El Monte, said El Monte Police Supervisor Ken Weldon.

Ornelas has a long history of drug arrests, Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Christiansen said. The arrests include those by officers from the Montebello and El Monte police departments and by sheriff’s deputies from the Pico Rivera, City of Industry and Temple City stations.

He was released from state prison in September after serving a two-year sentence on drug charges, Christiansen said.