WEST CHESTER TWP. — A man arrested on drug charges died in police custody here early Tuesday, apparently after ingesting crack cocaine.

        James G. Baker Jr., 22, of Woodlawn, appeared to have a seizure after he was handcuffed and put in the back of a police cruiser during an arrest for drug possession, Police Chief John Bruce said.

        Mr. Baker was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital Fairfield at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday. A hospital spokeswoman referred questions about Mr. Baker to the Butler County Coroner's Office.

        Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt could not be reached at his office or home for comment Tuesday. But in a brief release, he said his office and the West Chester Police Department both were investigating Mr. Baker's death.

        The release also said an autopsy would be conducted Tuesday at the Butler County Morgue, but as of Tuesday evening, the results were not released.

        Chief Bruce said toxicology reports probably won't come back for several days. But he said the officers suspect Mr. Baker suffered a seizure, possibly after swallowing crack cocaine.

        It was the first time in the department's history that a suspect has died while in police custody.

        It does not appear the four officers present did anything wrong, the chief said. Mr. Baker and another man arrested on a drug charge were cooperative and arrested without incident, he said.

        “There was no struggle, no use of force. We have nothing to suspect there are any problems at this time,” Chief Bruce said.

Deaths of 4 teenagers devastates Goshen
Deerfield mall wins zoning OK
Cops and community cooperate in Evanston
Florence ready to play ball, y'all
Memories and history converge at Lunken
Library lists other funding options
Norwood to refine GM land proposal
Obituary: Yousef Samarghandi
Police reform efforts drag on
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Finish this
GUTIERREZ: 'Rich' schools
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SMITH AMOS: Neighborhood gem
Mall's developers seek new zoning
Man dies in police custody
Mother, 2 children injured in collision
Prosecutor: Son knew dad not killed Sept. 11
Ring comes through OK
Street plan angers neighbors
Televised meetings a turn-on
Cleveland voucher applications up
Anti-gang program hopes to warn kids of dangers
Boone jail thwarts escape try
Kentucky News Briefs
More candidates, more competition
Newport Promenade retail bogs down
Not everyone gets free ride this time
Seven Kenton mayors opposed
Students may face drug tests
UK to add 11 blacks to faculty this fall