Man Dies in Police Custody

Providence police say a 63-year-old man who was in custody has died after he stopped breathing in the back of a police cruiser.

Police Maj. Thomas Verdi tells the Providence Journal the man had been rescued early Sunday after being trapped in an elevator in the Carroll Towers public elderly housing complex where he lived.

Emergency responders had received a call about 4:30 a.m. that the elevator had mechanical problems and someone was stuck.

Verdi said the man was arrested after he began fighting with firefighters and police officers at the scene. He then requested medical treatment and was taken directly to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the cause of his death is being investigated. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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