The Honolulu Police Department's Internal Affairs Division has opened an investigation into the death of an auto-theft suspect subdued by police Tuesday at a King Street gas station.

Police yesterday identified him as Moses Henry Akana Jr., 38, of Pearl City.

"IA began looking into the incident immediately after it happened," police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said. "Because of the serious nature of the person's injuries the investigation will focus on whether officers followed department procedures."

Police said Akana became agitated and combative toward officers checking a report of a man asleep near a gas pump at the Tesoro station at the King and Kalakaua intersection. There was a struggle before officers handcuffed Akana, who soon after lost consciousness. He was in cardiac arrest when taken to Straub Clinic & Hospital about 7:30 a.m.