Man Dies In RivCo Sheriff Department's Custody, Agency Reports

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A man who was arrested after being "combative" when sheriff's officials contacted him regarding a "family disturbance" call on the 4th of July died when he suffered a medical emergency, the law enforcement agency reported Thursday.

Jose Abraham Orellana, 50, collapsed shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday at his home in the 24000 block of Jonna Lane, near Stonehurst Drive, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Wally Clear.

According to Clear, the sheriff's department responded to the home after Orellana "had reportedly brandished a knife at family members which caused them to flee the residence for their safety."

"Deputies arrived within minutes and encountered Orellana inside the residence," Clear said. "Orellana was combative with the deputies and was taken to the ground and handcuffed. Shortly afterward, Orellana appeared to suffer medical problems, and paramedics were called to the scene."

An ambulance took Orellana to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he died a short time later, Clear said.

Detectives from the sheriff's Central Homicide Unit initiated an investigation, in accordance with departmental policy concerning in-custody deaths.

Clear said an autopsy was pending to determine the cause of Orellana's death.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone