The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently examining the death of a 32-year-old shoplifting suspect who was in custody by Cumming Police Officers this past weekend.
GBI officials stated that on Sunday, February 11, Forsyth County 911 received a call from Cumming Target Loss Prevention about a shoplifter at two Target stores. The suspect, according to officials, was identified as 32-year-old Robert Cornelious Powell of Brooklyn, New York.
According to the GBI, when Cumming police officers arrived at the store, Powell fled on foot, with officers in pursuit. Following a chase through the woods, Powell surrendered, officials said. The release also stated that Powell was taken into custody “without incident,” but as officers handcuffed him, they discovered an injury on his leg.
According to the statement, Powell informed officers that he was having difficulty breathing, and EMS was called to the scene. Officials mentioned Powell was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased as his condition “continued to decline.”