Burglary suspect dies after falling from roof of house

He had been arrested and then later died in hospital

A suspected burglar who crashed into parked cars and then climbed on to the roof of a house before falling off has died in hospital.

Police were initially called to reports of a car crashing into parked vehicles in Robin Hood Road, Willenhall, at around 7.30pm last night.

The 31-year-old driver of the car then fled the scene of the collision, near the junction with Stretton Avenue. He then got on to the rooftop of a nearby home before falling off.

He was arrested at the scene before being taken by ambulance staff to hospital.

He died this morning and West Midlands Police say they are now working to "establish the circumstances of what has happened".

The incident has also been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Zero sympathy

Second police update on man who died after falling from roof in Coventry

Police have now said that a man who died after falling from the roof of a house would no longer be treated as a burglary suspect if he was still alive.

West Midlands Police yesterday said the 31-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and then this morning changed their stance saying he had been "detained" rather than arrested.

And now in a third statement released this afternoon, the force has stated: "The man was initially detained on suspicion of attempted burglary due to the calls regarding a confrontation inside the premises.

"However, his medical concerns took priority so was never formally arrested. Following the subsequent review and accounts from the residents, there was no suggestion of him attempting to commit a burglary and so, if he were alive, he would no longer be under investigation on suspicion of burglary."

Appeal for witnesses after man died falling from roof

The organisation which investigates police conduct is appealing for witnesses after an incident in which a man died after falling off a roof in Coventry.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the death, the IOPC has launched an independent investigation into the death, following a referral from West Midlands Police.

This week, the IOPC has asked that any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information, to get in touch.

The investigation team carried out house to house enquiries in the are last week, and returned once more earlier this week.

They revealed that they were looking for further witnesses, CCTV or other video footage of the incident.