Posted on: Sunday, May 1, 2005

Second man in four days dies in police custody

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man died unexpectedly Friday while in police custody, the second time in less than a week that an unruly suspect has died while in custody.

Honolulu police said the cause of death of the 28-year-old 'Aiea man won't be known until an autopsy is performed.

The man was behaving strangely and appeared to have difficulty breathing, police said, so bystanders called 911. Emergency Medical Services paramedics and the Fire Department were sent to an 'Aiea home at about 7 p.m.

When a firefighter attempted to assist the man, the man punched the firefighter. The firefighter was not seriously injured, Honolulu Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said.

Kane said the incident occurred at 99-131 Mikalemi St.

Police were called and officers took the man into custody for mental observation, police said. At some point after his arrest, the officers took the man to Castle Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 9:48 p.m., police said.

The case occurs after a 41-year-old Makaha man died Tuesday during a police arrest.

Ross Hose became unruly while visiting at the home of a relative.

Police were called, and while officers were at the home, paramedics were called to the residence three times between 3:45 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. They were sent away twice when police appeared to have the situation under control.

On the third visit, paramedics took Hose, who was in critical condition, to Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.