Police, D.A. Unit Investigating Death of Anaheim Jail Prisoner

Police and the Orange County district attorney’s special assignments unit are investigating the death Wednesday of a 45-year-old prisoner at the Anaheim jail.

The man, an Anaheim resident whose name has not been released by authorities, had been arrested early Tuesday in connection with a commercial burglary.

An officer at the 144-inmate jail noticed the man had a weak pulse, according to Sgt. Steve Rodig. Officers administered emergency medical care until paramedics arrived. They continued as the man was taken to Western Medical Center in Anaheim, where he died. Police declined to say what time the prisoner was stricken or provide any other details.

“We don’t have any reason to believe the death was not natural, pending the coroner’s investigation,” Rodig said.

A spokesman for the coroner’s office said that the autopsy had been performed on the inmate, but that the results had not yet been sent to authorities.

Normally, misdemeanor suspects are kept overnight, until their first court appearance, Rodig said, while felony suspects might be held there a day or two. The inmate who died was arrested in connection with a felony, and police said he had an additional outstanding arrest warrant for theft.

The death is being investigated by the Anaheim Police Department’s robbery/homicide detail, as well as the district attorney’s office.

Four county investigators went to the jail after the death.

“We send a team of investigators so the agency involved will have no conflict-of-interest concerns,” said Vincent L. Vasil, assistant chief investigator for the district attorney’s criminal division.

“There doesn’t appear to be anything unusual about this one at this point,” Vasil said. “We’re still in the midst of the investigation.”