LAPD names two sergeants involved in struggle with suspect who died
The Los Angeles Police Department has identified two sergeants involved in a physical altercation with a 37-year-old motorist who died hours after his arrest.
The department identified the two officials involved in the Aug. 3 altercation with Omar Abrego as Robert Calderon and Jeff Mares, who are both assigned to the Newton Division gang enforcement detail.
Abrego was declared dead 12 hours after he was arrested by Calderon and Mares, according to officials. The sergeants took Abrego into custody after they spotted him driving fast in South L.A. and nearly striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk, according to the Police Department.
A cause of death has yet to be released pending further tests, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s office. The death is being investigated by the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division. An initial coroner’s report says Abrego was combative and confused with acute cocaine intoxication, Harvey said.
Abrego suffered a severe concussion and multiple facial and body contusions in the incident, which also left one of the sergeants with a broken hand.
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