Burglary suspect dies in custody

A man described as a suspected burglar who reportedly screamed for help as he was being detained by neighbors died in police custody, Long Beach officials said Sunday.

Officers arrived at the 600 block of Elm Avenue after receiving a report of a burglary at 9:15 p.m. Saturday. They found the suspect, identified by a Los Angeles County coroner’s official as Deshoun Kenyon Torrence, 18, injured from his struggle with the neighbors, said Jackie Bezart, public information officer for the Long Beach Police Department.

Before officers arrived, residents reported hearing screams for help from the apartment where the suspect was being held, Bezart said. Officers used “necessary force” to take the man into custody after he became combative, authorities said.

A coroner’s investigator was looking into the cause of death, and homicide detectives were interviewing neighbors and witnesses overnight. An autopsy will be performed today or Tuesday, said Lt. Kimberley Arnold of the coroner’s office.

The suspect had sustained lacerations to his hands during the scuffle, said Mike Duree, a spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department, which sent paramedics after receiving a call from the officers at the scene. The man was treated for those injuries and declined to be taken to a hospital, Duree said.

Shortly after paramedics left, the suspect stopped breathing in the back seat of the squad car, Bezart said. Officers performed CPR, but the man was pronounced dead by paramedics who returned at 10:10 p.m.

Before he was placed in the vehicle, the suspect was “alert, oriented and coherent and answered questions appropriately,” officials said.

Officials asked anyone with information to call Long Beach homicide Dets. Terri Hubert or Russell Moss at (562) 570-7244.

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victoria.kim@latimes.com