Man Arrested For Car Break-Ins Dies In Police Custody In Seffner

SEFFNER, FL — A 36-year-old man died in police custody on Friday in Seffner after he was placed in the back of a police car, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release said. State authorities are investigating the death.

A Waffle House employee at the Seffner location saw that a man broke into his car in the parking lot, said police. The employee went outside and saw the man, Ryan Wollnick inside his car, and confronted him.

Authorities said Wollnick walked away from the employee's car and pulled on door handles to other cars in the parking lot. Officials arrived on the scene as Wollnick pulled on the door handle of a vehicle that had a woman and two children inside. She yelled for help.

Wollnick was placed in handcuffs and put in the back of a patrol car. Police said he was arrested without a struggle. Shortly after police placed him in the back of the police car, officers noticed Wollnick was in medical distress as he slumped over.

EMS arrived and took Wollnick to Brandon Regional Hospital, where he died.

HCSO has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct an independent investigation into the incident in accordance with a new policy related to in-custody deaths.

"There was no violence by deputies and no struggle by the suspect at the time of detainment that resulted in this unfortunate death," said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release. "We are committed to trust through transparency, and that is why the FDLE is being brought in to investigate. I made an agreement last month, along with several local law enforcement leaders, to continue working to strengthen public trust through our actions. I believe this independent investigation is another step towards that goal."

Investigators will work to determine if the death is medical-related.