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Suspect Who Died After Struggle With Pittsburg Police Identified

PITTSBURG (CBS SF) -- A suspect who died after a struggle with Pittsburg police officers during an arrest Tuesday afternoon has been identified by police as 32-year-old Humberto Martinez.

The incident started around 2:30 p.m. when officers tried to stop a vehicle but the driver, later identified as Martinez, led them on a short pursuit and then fled into a home in the 4200 block of Hillview Drive, police said.

Officers followed him inside and a struggle ensued, during which Martinez allegedly bit an officer's hand, breaking the skin. At some point, an officer deployed a Taser stun gun at him but it was ineffective, according to police.

Martinez was eventually handcuffed by officers but moments later became unresponsive and they performed CPR on him. He was resuscitated and taken to a hospital, but died there.

Police said they don't yet know whether the suspect had any pre-existing medical conditions. Civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union have argued against the use of Tasers, saying that they can sometimes cause death via ventricular fibrillation.

Police today said Martinez had multiple prior convictions, including for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a controlled substance for sale while armed with a firearm and false imprisonment.

He had an outstanding felony drug warrant and was on probation at the time of his death, according to police.

The case is under investigation by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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