Mich. Shoplifting Suspect Dies

R O Y A L   O A K   T O W N S H I P, Mich., Feb. 9, 2001 -- A shoplifting suspect diedafter struggling with security guards at a Kroger supermarket,police said.

It was not immediately known what caused the man's deathThursday night. It was the second time in less than a year that aman had died in the Detroit suburbs after a suspected shopliftingincident.

"The subject had struggled with security," Sgt. Jane Boudreausaid. "At that point he was having medical difficulties and EMSresponded."

Guards tried to revive the man, whose name and age were notreleased, but were unsuccessful. The man was pronounced dead onarrival at Providence Hospital in Southfield, a spokesman said.

No further information was immediately available.

In June, Frederick Finley, 32, died outside a Lord & Taylorstore in Dearborn after scuffling with security guardsinvestigating a shoplifting complaint.

Guards had accused Finley's girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter ofshoplifting. Dennis Richardson, 29, used a headlock to subdueFinley in the store's parking lot.

Richardson is awaiting trial for involuntary manslaughter.Defense attorneys say Finley had a heart attack; prosecutors say hesuffocated.

The death sparked protests led by such well-known figures as theRev. Al Sharpton.