Video launched by the Azusa Police Division reveals the second a person, who was later discovered lifeless, was free of custody and entered a patrol automobile.
Eric Valencia, 37, had been arrested on suspicion of driving underneath the affect and little one endangerment on March 20 and held over the weekend earlier than being launched on March 23, stated Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick at a information convention.
In video launched by the division Monday, Valencia is proven exiting the police station, strolling to the entrance of the station and entering into the again of an SUV and shutting the door behind him.
“Mr. Valencia was launched from custody with no obvious indicators of misery,” Wenrick stated through the convention, based on KABC. “Surveillance video reveals Mr. Valencia unlawfully getting into the rear seat space of patrol unit 37.”
Valencia was initially pulled over for driving with out headlights on and police suspected he was underneath the affect based mostly on indicators of watery, bloodshot eyes and the scent of alcohol within the automobile, Wenrick informed Fox throughout an interview.
Valencia had a blood alcohol stage twice the authorized restrict throughout his arrest, Wenrick stated.
Valencia was freed on March 23 and given his property, cellphone and meals, based on Wenrick. His physique was discovered contained in the unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick informed the fleet upkeep crew to take the patrol automobiles to get washed.
Valencia’s cellphone was present in working order and he by no means known as 911 for assist, based on Wenrick.
“We’re gonna do our greatest within the investigation to determine why Mr. Valencia walked out and acquired within the automobile,” Wenrick stated. “Hopefully we’ll be capable to present closure to the household and for our personal sake of realizing why that call was made and why he did what he did.”
