A 32-year-old Apple Valley man died in law enforcement custody this week shortly after being arrested at a pharmacy, marking the third inmate death reported in San Bernardino County this month, authorities said Monday.
Cesar Villalpando died at a hospital following his arrest on Friday at Walgreens, 21650 Highway 18, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
Deputies responded to a report of an “unwanted person” just after 4 p.m. at the business when they found Villalpando inside a bathroom stall, according to a sheriff’s department statement.
The High Desert Detention Center, 9438 Commerce Way in Adelanto, pictured in an undated photo.
“Villalpando appeared to be under the influence of drugs and was detained without incident,” the statement said. “Medical personnel also responded, evaluated him and he was cleared for booking.”
Upon arrival at the High Desert Detention Facility in Adelanto about 5:10 p.m., deputies noticed Villalpando was unconscious, officials said.
They administered naloxone anti-overdose medication and summoned medical staff for help.
“Villalpando was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” the sheriff’s department statement said.
Walgreens, 21650 Highway 18 in Apple Valley, pictured in a Google Street View image.
An autopsy was to be carried out by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Coroner’s Bureau, officials said.
The investigation into the death was being led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division.
It was not initially clear what crime Villalpando had been arrested on suspicion of.
Three inmate deaths reported in San Bernardino County this month
Friday’s in-custody death was the third reported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department this month.
Phillip Lester, 66, of Moreno Valley died at a hospital while in custody on Sunday, authorities said.
He had been in jail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga since March 17, when he turned himself in on an assault warrant.
On Thursday, deputies “observed inmate Phillip Lester walking with difficulty,” according to a sheriff’s department statement. “Lester also had trouble breathing and deputies assisted him to an area inside the housing unit to be evaluated by medical personnel.”
Lester was soon admitted to a hospital with “various serious illnesses,” the statement said. He died on Sunday. An officials cause of death was pending.
Another man died while in custody of the department on May. 1.
Jabari Betts, 47, of Victorville died at a hospital a day after he was found suffering from an apparent “pre-existing medical issue” in a jail cell at the West Valley Detention Center on April 30, sheriff’s officials said at the time.
He was arrested on Thursday, April 24, at the at the Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville “after threatening security staff,” a sheriff’s department statement said.
Betts was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail after the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed misdemeanor counts of trespassing and battery on a peace officer, which he pleaded not guilty to on Tuesday, April 29, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.
More: Inmate from Victorville dies following ‘medical emergency’ in sheriff’s department custody
Anyone with information on any of the cases was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Tips may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley man dies in sheriff’s dept. custody after arrest at pharmacy
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