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Man accused in school burglary attempt fights with police, dies

GREENSBURG, Pa. — The man accused of trying to break into a Westmoreland County school got into a fight with police and later died, police said.

Seven officers were also injured in the scuffle.

While investigating Thursday morning’s attempted burglary at Greensburg Salem Middle School, officers viewed surveillance video.

In the video, they said they saw the burglar break a door handle off of a steel door using only his hands.

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The burglar also tried to gain access by kicking other doors or hitting them with rocks, according to police.

Based on the video and previous run-ins with the attempted burglar, police identified him as Ian Frederick Sagucio.

Police said they had dealt with Sagucio twice in the previous 24 hours and that he was known to abuse the ingredients in cold medicine.

When officers arrived at Sagucio’s house to arrest him, they said he was extremely agitated and irate.

He grabbed one of the officers and dragged the officer into the doorway, police said.

A struggle ensued as officers tried to handcuff Sagucio, according to police. Investigators said they also tried to use a Taser on him to get him under control, but the Taser appeared to have no effect.

After four to five minutes of struggling, officers were able to handcuff Sagucio, police said. At that point, according to police, he began having some type of medical emergency.

Officers called for an ambulance and began CPR. Sagucio was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Four officers were injured in the struggle, police said.

One officer suffered a wrist injury, one had a head injury and two officers had blood spit on their face, police said.

All the officers were treated and released from the hospital.

The Westmoreland County Police Bureau is investigating the incident.