Azusa Police Share Latest News on Investigation Into Man Found in Patrol Car
Identification Made in Azusa Patrol Car Incident
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed that the individual found unresponsive in an out-of-service patrol car is 37-year-old Eric Valencia.
Authorities are set to hold a news conference at 5 p.m. Monday to provide updates on the investigation into Valencia’s death, which occurred inside a police vehicle parked outside the Azusa police station.
Valencia, who was pronounced dead shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday, was discovered seated in the patrol car located in the 700 block of North Alameda Avenue, near Foothill Boulevard. According to Police Chief Rocky Wenrick, Valencia had been released from custody on March 23 before entering the vehicle without permission. The circumstances surrounding his earlier arrest remain unclear.
Police mentioned that the patrol car was out of service and scheduled for maintenance but was left unlocked—an oversight that Wenrick said should have been prevented. Typically, law enforcement vehicles are secured such that back doors cannot be opened from the inside.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, but unfortunately, they were unable to revive Valencia.
Investigators have confirmed the presence of security camera footage at the location, which will be reviewed alongside other evidence by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Justice System Integrity Division. Additionally, an independent firm has been retained to conduct an administrative investigation into why the vehicle was not properly secured.
Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to reach out to Azusa Police Detective Lieutenant Steve Sears at 626-812-3200.
