Camden County man dies after struggle with police

A 36-year-old Camden County man died during a struggle with officers and civilians after he refused to stop loitering at a Winslow convenience store Monday morning, authorities said.

Keith Briscoe of Waterford was outside a Wawa in the 100 block of Berlin-Cross Keys Road at 8:30 a.m. when Winslow Patrolman Sean Richards asked him to move on, investigators said. Briscoe declined.

After repeatedly being asked to leave, he argued with the officer, who then tried to arrest him, police said. Briscoe would not allow himself to be handcuffed and struggled with Richards.

As the two were fighting, three civilians came to the officer's aid, authorities said. Richards managed to grab his Mace and sprayed Briscoe, who authorities said continued struggling.

Four additional officers, from Winslow, Berlin Borough and Pine Hill, came to assist, and they subdued Briscoe, investigators said.

Briscoe was handcuffed and was about to be transferred to a police vehicle when he stopped breathing, police said.

The officers immediately tried to revive Briscoe, performing CPR and using a defibrillator on him until an ambulance arrived, authorities said.

Briscoe died at 9:25 a.m. at Virtua Berlin.

A Camden County medical examiner conducted an autopsy Monday. A ruling on cause of death is pending the results of tests, including toxicology.

Briscoe's family could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

The Winslow officers involved were treated for minor injuries at Washington Township Hospital.