Accused shoplifter dies in police custody

A man, overpowered by bystanders and arrested for shoplifting yesterday, became unwell whilst in police custody and subsequently passed away in hospital. The man was not doing well when police arrived at the scene, and had to be resuscitated after police led him into their detention van, a police report says.

The unidentified man was caught and held by civilian bystanders after allegedly shoplifting from a supermarket in Ouder-Amstel, Noord Holland Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Employees of the supermarket told police the man was chased down and detained by members of the public while the police were alerted.

Though the man was resuscitated he later died at the hospital. Police say the incident is still under investigation because the man collapsed while in custody.