News Release
SIU Investigates Custody Death in Beamsville
Case Number: 05-OCD-098
Other News Releases Related to Case 05-OCD-098
Eight SIU investigators, including forensic identification technicians, have been assigned to the probe. The SIU was notified that at about 2:30 a.m. this morning, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers responded to reports of numerous break and enters on Village Park Drive and Crescent Avenue in Beamsville. Police identified Mr. Foldi as a suspect and attempted to arrest him on Crescent Avenue. During the course of the arrest, a TASER gun was used. After Mr. Foldi was taken into police custody, officers saw that he was in medical distress and requested an ambulance. Mr. Foldi was transported to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital where he died.
A post mortem examination for Mr. Foldi is scheduled for this afternoon in Hamilton.
SIU investigators are focusing on the events leading up to Mr. Foldi's death to determine what the nature and extent of police involvement was. The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-1935 or 1-800-787-8529.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations