BREAKING NEWS: JPD Sends out Official Release on Man’s Death While in Police Costudy

JAMESTOWN – New information is being provided by the Jamestown Police Department regarding the death of a man while in police custody. JPD Captain Robert Samuelson sent out the following media release shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013:

On Saturday February 16″‘, 2012 at about 12:14 pm officers of the Jamestown Police department did conduct a vehicle stop on a vehicle for a violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. ln the course of the  stop the operator who was later identified as Cindy S. Frank, 40 of Jamestown, gave the officers a false  name and was taken into custody for False Personation. Front seat passenger to the vehicle was  identified as Charles A. Baker, 30 of Jamestown. Baker was detained for a violation and subsequent to  the investigation it was discovered that Baker had disposed of several baggies of what appeared to be  cocaine in the back seat of the patrol car. ln an attempt to destroy physical evidence Baker did smear  the substance that was later determined to be cocaine on the seat of the patrol car. Baker was then  charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd (Felony)and was then transported to the city jail.

Once inside the Police Garage the prisoner was removed from the Patrol Car and an additional baggie of  cocaine fell to the ground. Arresting officers attempted to pick up the baggie when Baker stepped on  the substance and an officers hand. Baker was then brought inside the city jail at about 1310 hrs where  he was uncuffed for processing. During the course of inventorying Bakers property in the jail an  additional baggie of crack cocaine fell to the floor in the booking room. Baker then became physically  combative in the booking room and had to be subdued with the use of an Electronic Control Device. Baker was brought under control after a single deployment of the ECD. Due to his continuous combative  and resistive behavior Baker was secured in a Jail Restraint Chair which is a device that is designed to  control violent and combative prisoners and to prevent injury to the prisoner and the officers involved.

At about 3:09 pm the prisoner was then taken to a cell to utilize the restroom. Prisoner was secured into  a holding cell for further observation. Within seconds of being placed into the holding cell Baker began  to suffer an apparent seizure. EMS was summoned and did respond to the jail facility. EMS did arrive  and did examine the prisoner who was responsive. Baker was transported to WCA Hospital via Alstar  Ambulance at 3:23 pm.

At about 4:55 pm it was advised that Baker had suffered a second apparent seizure while at WCA  Hospital. At 5:25 hours the Police Department was advised that Baker had been pronounced dead.

Investigation is underway by the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office to determine the cause of death. Autopsy was conducted this morning by the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office and we are awaiting the officiai results from the Erie County Medical Examiner. The investigation is ongoing and the Jamestown Police Department is cooperating with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office.

Further questions should be directed to David Foley at the Chautauqua County District Attorneys Office.