SoCal man accused of assaulting sheriff’s deputy dies in custody
A Rancho Cucamonga man detained by law enforcement after allegedly assaulting a sheriff’s deputy has died in custody, authorities said.
Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the 10100 block of Foothill Boulevard just after midnight on Tuesday morning to check on reports that a a man was attempting to open apartment and car doors, and activated a fire alarm.
The man, later identified by the sheriff’s department as 32-year-old Mohd Hijaz, was found screaming while sitting in a bush. Deputies called for paramedics and asked him if he needed help, from a distance.
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At that point, authorities said, Hijaz charged at the deputies and refused multiple commands to stop. As deputies stepped forward to detain him, Hijaz struck one of them in the face.
In custody at the scene, and as medical personnel arrived, Hijaz suffered a medical emergency. He died at a local hospital, authorities said.
Authorities are investigating the death. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Malcolm Page, Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904.
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