Man dies in Dover Police custody

A 24-year-old man arrested for shoplifting last month died while being held at the Dover Police Department.

(photo courtesy of Dover PD flickr page)

(photo courtesy of Dover PD flickr page)

A 24-year-old man arrested for shoplifting last month died while being held at the Dover Police Department.

John Manning was arrested around 11:30 Wednesday morning September 20 without incident following a shoplifting complaint at the Sam’s Club store on N. DuPont Highway. He was taken to the Dover station on S. Queen St. where he would be held during processing and arraignment.

Just after 2 p.m., police say Manning was found unresponsive and not breathing. Officers started CPR and Manning was taken to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It’s not clear what caused Manning’s death. Police say they are awaiting the official cause of death from the Medical Examiner’s report.

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