What started as a shoplifting incident ended with the tragic death of a high-ranking Yonkers, New York, politician’s family member. Jonathan Maldonado, the 21-year-old nephew of Yonkers City Council President-elect Mike Khader, was accused of stealing from BestBuy in Greenburgh on Wednesday evening and swallowed an unknown type of drug before police arrived, Greenburgh police said. He lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest while in the ambulance, police said. Emergency medical services personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced life support, but it was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:54 p.m. “My family suffered the tragic loss of my nephew yesterday,” Khader said in a statement. “We are communicating with law enforcement and still learning the details of what took place. Please respect my family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The incident started around 5:50 p.m. BestBuy employees and loss prevention chased Maldonado and tackled him at Webb Field, near the intersection of Harvard Drive and North Central Avenue. When police caught up to them, he swallowed “several packets of an unknown substance,” according to police. Officers used a stun gun and still struggled to control him, police said. The three officers involved were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and have been released. They have been placed on modified duty. Greenburgh police requested the assistance of Yonkers police for an independent law enforcement investigation. Also assisting with the investigation is the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the state Attorney General’s Office. [Source: PressConnect]