Update: Man who died at Palm Desert mall identified

Authorities have identified the person found dead at Westfield mall as 30-year-old ErnestUriquidez, Jr.

Authorities are attempting to determine how a man, who was reportedly involved in shoplifting merchandise, suddenly died near the parking structure at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert, a sheriff’s sergeant said Sunday.

Officers were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to 72840 Highway 111 on a call of a person in need of medical attention near the northeast parking structure of the mall, said Sgt. Jeff Buompensiero of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Officers immediately began CPR and called for paramedics, who pronounced the man dead the scene, Buompensiero said.

Prior to his death, the man was involved in shoplifting merchandise from a nearby retailer. Retail loss prevention officers tried to detain the man, but he fled the location. The loss prevention officers did not chase the man after he ran from the area, he said.

Anyone with any information regarding the death was asked to call the Central Homicide Unit of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 393- 3531.