Mesa Police Investigate Custodial Death Following Bicycle Stop Incident

**Mesa Police Blotter: Week of April 4-10, 2026**On April 4, near Dobson Road and University Drive, officers attempted to stop Eric Wayne Baker, 52, for riding a bicycle without a required front light. According to Mesa Police Department reports cited by ABC15 Arizona, Baker fled westbound on University Drive into the Buena Apartments complex, crashed his bike on a concrete walkway, and resisted arrest by pulling away, refusing commands, kicking at officers, and assaulting them. Officers struck and tased him multiple times during the 90-second struggle before handcuffing him on charges of aggravated assault on an officer and a felony probation violation warrant. About 45 seconds after handcuffing, he was placed in a recovery position; 40 seconds later, officers requested expedited medical aid from Mesa Fire Department as he became erratic and unresponsive. Paramedics could not obtain vital signs due to his movement; he died en route to the hospital. The incident is under investigation by Mesa Police, with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office determining cause of death. The three involved officers are on standard 40-hour critical incident leave, with no prior sustained complaints. Family has retained attorneys and is not commenting while the probe continues.[1][2][3][4]No other criminal incidents reported for the week.**Trends:** This isolated custodial death incident amid 396 calls to Buena Apartments from October 2025 to April 2026 highlights elevated activity at that complex, though no broader patterns noted.For tips, call Mesa Police non-emergency at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS anonymously.Thank you for tuning in, listeners—remind you to subscribe. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.