Investigators said Reid had approached a 38-year-old woman from behind, placed his arm around her neck and began dragging her. Police said the woman was able to break free and run away, but not before Reid bit her.
As officers took Reid into custody, they found a vial containing a liquid suspected to be PCP. Reid then began showing signs of a seizure and officers called for emergency medical personnel.
Police said Reid was evaluated by medical personnel but refused transport to the hospital or further treatment. Officers then took him to a detention center for processing on charges of felony assault.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (AP) Virginia authorities are investigating the death of man in police custody.
Prince William County police say officers were called to a location in Gainesville about 7 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a report of a fight.
Officers encountered 39-year-old Robert Leroy Reid of Manassas, who was suspected of assaulting a woman and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Officers found a vial suspected of containing PCP while they were arresting Reid and called emergency medical personnel after he began showing signs of a seizure.
Reid refused transport to a hospital but became unresponsive while being booked.
Reply
A man died of unknown causes after he was taken to the Adult Detention Center by members of the Prince William County Police Department, according to a news release. Officials said he appeared to suffer a seizure but refused treatment. (Mark Hand/Patch)
MANASSAS, VA A man from Manassas died in police custody after he was accused of assaulting a woman in Gainesville on Thursday evening. The man, Robert Leroy Reid, appeared to suffer a seizure prior to arriving at Prince William County Adult Detention Center but refused treatment, according to a news release from the police department.
The man s body was taken to the medical examiner s office for an autopsy to determine what caused his death. Two Prince William County police officers have been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the police department.