Chicago police were awaiting the autopsy results of a man who died in police custody following a drug arrest in the city's East Garfield Park neighborhood, police said.
A police source said that it appeared the man tried to swallow drugs in an attempt to hide it from the arresting officers.
The arrest happened in the 500 block of North St. Louis Avenue at about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Afterward, police took the man to St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Authorities didn't immediately identify the man.
Asked for comment, a police spokeswoman couldn't provide details on the arrest, but said that detectives were awaiting the results of the man's autopsy, which could be available later today.
On Tuesday, the Tribune published an article by reporter Steve Mills detailing how deaths in police custody can often lead to civil lawsuits and expensive court settlements. Attorneys representing the families of those who've died in police custody complained that officers didn't act quickly enough in seeking medical attention for their loved ones.
