Man dies in police custody in Elsternwick
A man has died in police custody shortly after he was handcuffed by officers at a bar in Elsternwick bar where several patrons had pinned him to the ground.
Officers were called to an incident at Antique Bar on Glen Huntly Rd in Elsternwick at around 2.15am, following reports of the man assaulting patrons.
When they arrived, police said, the man was already being held to the ground by several members of the public.
Police took over the arrest and handcuffed the man, who lost consciousness.
Police then attempted to revive the man until paramedics arrived and took over, but he died at the scene. Local residents say the man died inside the bar but this is yet to be confirmed by police.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene has been set up at Antique Bar as police investigate the death, and the coroner has arrived.
Blocked by police tape, the chalk board for Antique Bar advertises hot cocktails and mulled wine.
Stacey, 39, said the little shopfront bar was a quiet place where locals from Elsternwick gather for a cocktails and board games.
A post mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The incident will be referred to Homicide Squad detectives with oversight from Professional Standards Command.
Police have taken to social media to request information from witnesses last night.
In May, a 47-year-old man died when police were at his home in Buninyong checking on his welfare.
Police said at the time he ran from them and, when they caught him, he had a "medical episode" when they tried to arrest him. He died at the scene.
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