Shoplifter dies in police custody www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifter dies in police custody http://www.privateofficer.com

from the I-Network News

Coralville Ia. June 28 2008

A man died after being taken into Coralville police custody for shoplifting.

At approximately 8:28 p.m. Sunday, Coralville police officers responded to a call from Hy-Vee, 1914 Eighth St., Coralville, regarding a shoplifting incident.

According to a statement from the police, Todd Edwards, 37, of Orlando, Fla., ran from the store prior to officers’ arrival. Edwards was reportedly arrested and taken to the Coralville police station shortly following police arrival at the scene. According to police, the Edwards became less responsive soon after taken into custody.

He then reportedly requested the assistance of an ambulance as his condition worsened. Edwards was then transported by the Johnson County Ambulance Service to the bu UI Hospitals and Clinics, where he was pronounced dead. UIHC had no information on the incident. Johnson County Medical Examiner Stephen Scheckel said an autopsy was conducted Monday but that results are unavailable because of a pending toxicology test. “We’re not sure when results will be in,” he said. “

But [it will be] at least a number of weeks before we get those back.” Scheckel said the examiner’s office is not conducting any tests out of the ordinary for this case.

Coralville Police Chief Barry Bedford called for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding Edwards’ death.In the Coralville department’s 2006 annual report, statistics showed theft as the second-most common crime in the city, with reports increasing more than 50 percent from a year prior.

“There’s not much you can do proactively to combat theft,” Coralville police Lt. Shane Kron told the DI in March 2007 interview. “We try to work with the retailers to tell them what to look for.” Hy-Vee declined comment on the security measures taken in its stores.

Neither the Coralville Police Department nor Hy-Vee provided further comment on the incident.

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