Fullerton Police Officers responded on November 7, 2026, at approximately 4:51 am, to a business in the 2200 block of N. Harbor Blvd. regarding a theft in progress involving two adult males and one adult female. The three suspects reportedly exited the business with merchandise and were attempting to enter a waiting vehicle.

Officers arrived while the suspects were still near the vehicle. Upon contact with officers, all three suspects fled on foot down a steep embankment and into dense brush near a golf course. Officers pursued the suspects and located one male and the female hiding in the brush.

Officers took both into custody without incident, and no force was used during their apprehension. The second male suspect evaded officers and remains outstanding.

Officers escorted the female suspect back up the embankment without incident. However, the male suspect experienced difficulty navigating the steep terrain and dense vegetation. During the ascent, he repeatedly fell to his knees and could take only a few steps at a time. Recognizing his difficulty, officers decided to remove his handcuffs to allow greater mobility while navigating the steep slope.

As officers discussed removing the handcuffs, they noticed the male suspect had become unresponsive but was still breathing. Officers immediately began rendering medical aid, including administering Narcan, and requested assistance from the Fullerton Fire Department. When officers determined the male suspect was no longer breathing, they immediately initiated CPR and continued lifesaving efforts until fire personnel arrived and assumed medical care.

The male was transported to a local hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.

An initial review of the incident, including body-worn camera footage, indicates officers used no force. However, because the male suspect was in police custody when he became unresponsive, the incident is being investigated as an in-custody death.

As is standard practice for any in-custody death involving Fullerton Police Officers, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office was contacted, and Investigators responded for an independent investigation of the circumstances leading up to, and the cause and manner of the in-custody death.

The Orange County Coroner will release the male’s identity when they deem appropriate.

Per State Law, we will be releasing relevant videos, recordings, and images within 45 days via a Critical Incident Community Briefing Video.