Man Dies In Back of Police Car: Phoenix PD

PHOENIX — A man became unresponsive and died in the back of a Phoenix police car on Tuesday, officers said.

The Phoenix Police Department said in a Wednesday news release that officers were called to a domestic dispute near 1900 East Rockwood Drive in Phoenix on Tuesday night. A woman told police she and her husband, since identified as Michael Robin, had been arguing about money and that he had been drinking.

"When officers made contact with Michael he appeared intoxicated and told officers he did not feel well," Sgt. Maggie Cox said in a statement. "The 62-year-old suffered from underlying medical problems."

Phoenix Fire Department members also responded to the home to examine Robin, who was then cleared and released back to the police. Officers found that no crime had occurred and the dispute was only verbal, so Robin agreed to leave the home for the night. Officers offered to bring him to a hotel, handcuffed his hands in the front of his body and put him in the patrol car.

After a few minutes of driving, the two officers noticed that Robin was no longer talking. They stopped the car and called for the Fire Department as they began "life-saving efforts," according to Cox. The fire department took Michael to a hospital where he died.

The cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner, police said. This is an ongoing investigation.