Newly released video footage captures a troubling incident involving a man who entered a patrol car at a Southern California police station and was later found dead.
The individual, identified by authorities as 37-year-old Eric Valencia, was discovered by a vehicle maintenance worker in the back seat of a non-operational patrol car stationed in front of the Azusa Police Department.
Security camera footage from the police station shows Valencia entering a marked, unlocked squad car right outside the department around noon last Monday. This was the last sighting of him until three days later, when he was found by a maintenance worker.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Police Chief Rocky Wenrick stated that an investigation is underway, focusing on why the car was left unlocked and how nobody noticed Valencia inside, given its prominent location in front of the station.
“We will follow the facts wherever they may lead,” Wenrick remarked during a news conference discussing the situation.
Records indicate that Valencia had been arrested on March 20 for charges related to drunk driving and child endangerment and was released three days later, just before he got into the patrol car.
Wenrick mentioned that Valencia showed no signs of physical trauma during his time in custody, and police had regularly monitored him. In fact, additional food was offered to him upon release.
Valencia’s family had reported him missing just hours prior to the discovery of his body. The security footage reveals him leaving the police station, appearing to walk normally before he doubled back and entered the police car.
The patrol vehicle in question was awaiting maintenance, which is a common occurrence for patrol units. “It should have been secured,” Wenrick acknowledged.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is tasked with determining the cause of death, but as of now, that information remains undisclosed. Preliminary alcohol tests indicated that Valencia’s blood alcohol level was significantly above the legal limit at the time of his arrest.
In light of these events, the Azusa Police Department has engaged an external investigative firm for a thorough inquiry into the situation, particularly concerning the vehicle’s security.
Wenrick refrained from answering questions about potential disciplinary measures related to the incident due to the ongoing investigation.
On Monday, Valencia’s family gathered outside the police station to honor him with a makeshift memorial in the vicinity of where he was found. His cousin, Carlos Velasquez, shared that Valencia was a father of two and lived nearby. Velasquez expressed the family’s shock and grief, calling for clarity on how Valencia could have died in a squad car positioned directly in front of the police station. “We want answers,” he stated. “I never heard from him.”
