Ruben Perez, 52, Died in Riverside Police Department Custody Following Arrest Along Jones Avenue
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (April 14, 2026) – A 52-year-old man identified as Ruben Perez has tragically died after being arrested by the Riverside Police Department along Jones Avenue.
Riverside County officials are saying that the incident began around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Police were called to the area after getting reports of a person who was allegedly acting erratically and throwing rocks at vehicles.
Police encountered Ruben Perez and eventually placed him into custody. Not long after being placed into custody, he began to show signs of medical distress.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, Ruben Perez was pronounced dead at the scene.
A full investigation into the conduct of the responding officers remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Riverside In-Custody Deaths
Police officers in California have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary to carry out their duties. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. There are many ways that a police officer may have used excessive force.
- A police officer may have used their body weight to pull down a subject in the way that restricted their breathing.
- A police officer may have failed to follow department protocol for dealing with a suspect that is destroying signs of mental distress.
- A police officer may have failed to role a suspect onto their side in a recovery position.
- A police officer may have used multiple rounds of tasers or chemical irritants.
Police officers must follow a use of force continuum. They should only escalate their use of force as it becomes reasonably necessary, given the conditions that they encounter. In far too many situations, officers will fail to follow department protocol for dealing with a suspect in clear mental distress. Another major problem is that officers may fail to get suspects timely medical intervention after they show signs of medical distress.
Steps to Take After Riverside County In-Custody Deaths
A large portion of in-custody deaths involve people who are suffering from a mental health crisis. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, “The risk of being killed while being approached or stopped by law enforcement in the community is 16 times higher for individuals with untreated serious mental illness than for other civilians.” Several steps should be taken after any person dies in police custody.
- All medical records related to the incident should be sought.
- Body cam footage from all officers involved should be reviewed.
- Any person that may have witnessed what happened should be interviewed early on.
- The family of any person who died in police custody should request an independent review by a team experienced in constitutional law.
Many in-custody deaths are totally preventable. They tend to involve officers who are either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate encounters. Unfortunately, police departments will virtually never accept responsibility if their officers are involved in the death of a suspect. This is why it is so important that these incidents are investigated by an independent party. The family of any person who died in police custody may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Riverside County In-Custody Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ruben Perez. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of the victim’s family. The sheer number of in-custody deaths across Riverside County in recent years remains deeply concerning.
Do you need more information about a Riverside County in-custody death? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that victims of police brutality are aware of their rights and that law enforcement is held fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can always reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
