PHOENIX — Phoenix police are investigating after a man died while in officer custody Saturday afternoon.
Officials say 36-year-old Enrique Cantu III was taken into custody after he was allegedly involved in an attempted burglary at a house near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street.
According to police, Cantu opened the front door of a house and he was told to leave by the homeowner. He allegedly tried to open doors of other houses nearby.
Police say Cantu was falling over, hitting his head on doors and acting erratic.
When officers tried to handcuff him, police say they were met with resistance and put the man on the ground and handcuffed him.
Police say Cantu was responsive while officers were waiting for the fire department to arrive for evaluation.
He became unresponsive during evaluation.
The handcuffs were removed and the fire department started life saving measures before Cantu was transported to a hospital where he died, according to police.
Cantu's official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner. The officers involved are under an internal and criminal investigation.
