Man Arrested In San Leandro Dies In Santa Rita Jail: Reports

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A Santa Rita Jail inmate arrested in San Leandro died after 28 hours in custody, according to numerous reports.

On Feb. 7, Eric Johnson, 53, whose last known address was in Oakland, was arrested on suspicion of stealing a vehicle, according to Alameda County Sheriff’s Capt. Tya Modeste.

Johnson was booked into Santa Rita Wednesday at around 1:30 a.m., Modeste said. He was the sole occupant of a minimum-security setting, she said.

The following morning at around 5:15 a.m., Johnson was found unconscious in his cell. Staff performed lifesaving procedures, but was pronounced dead on the scene, Modeste told news outlets. The cause of the death is unknown and will be determined by the county’s medical examiner. The department will submit a report to the California Attorney General Office, and an investigation is ongoing.

RELATED:

• Santa Rita Jail Inmate Found Dead, Cellmate Suspected
• Santa Rita Inmate Ends Hunger Strike: Report
• Santa Rita Inmate Died After Staff 'Neglect': Lawsuit