Update 6:19 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the in-custody death of a shoplifting suspect in Cumming.
The GBI said Robert Cornelious Powell, 32, of Brooklyn, New York was arrested by Cumming Police Officers following a foot pursuit.
Powell became unresponsive at the hospital where he died.
Cumming Target Loss Prevention contacted on Sunday, Feb. 11 Forsyth County 911 about Powell. He was identified as a suspected shoplifter at two Target stores.
When Cumming police officers arrived at the Target in Cumming, Powell allegedly ran from the police.
According to the GBI Powell ran through the woods but surrendered to police.
Police took Powell into custody without incident. As Powell was being handcuffed officers found an injury to his leg.
Powell informed officers he was having difficulty breathing.
Officers called EMS to treat Powell, and he was taken to a local hospital.
According the the GBI Powell’s condition continued to worsen, and he was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital.
Powell will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
When the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Original story posted 6:56 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12:
Police in Cumming say the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation behind the cause for a shoplifting suspect's death over the weekend.
A release from Cumming Police department says the unidentified male suspect was reportedly involved in a felony shoplifting incident Sunday at the Target on Marketplace Boulevard when police found the suspect, briefly gave chase on foot and arrested the suspect without use of force.
Police say the found the suspect with a serious leg wound, and transported him to Northside Forsyth Hospital for treatment, where they say the suspect suffered a medical emergency and later died. The exact cause for death has not been released.
Cumming Police says the case is now under GBI investigation.
