Man Found Dead in Unlocked Azusa Police Patrol Car

Authorities to release security footage after incident raises questions about vehicle security protocols.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police car door handle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The discovery of a man's body in an unlocked police patrol car raises urgent questions about vehicle security protocols.Azusa Today

A 37-year-old man was found dead early Thursday morning in the back of an out-of-service Azusa police patrol car parked in front of the police station. The man, Eric Valencia, was not in custody at the time and it's unclear how he ended up in the unlocked vehicle. Azusa police say the car was due for maintenance and should have been secured, and an independent investigation is underway.

Why it matters

This incident raises serious concerns about the security protocols for police vehicles, especially those that are out of service. The fact that a civilian was able to access an unlocked patrol car parked at the police station is troubling and could indicate broader issues with how the department manages its fleet of emergency vehicles.

The details

According to Azusa police, the patrol car Valencia was found in was not in active use by the department and was due for maintenance. Authorities say the vehicle should have been properly secured, but was left unlocked. Police confirmed that Valencia had been arrested the previous Friday on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment, but was released from custody on the following Monday, several days before he was found dead in the patrol car.

  • On March 24, Valencia was arrested on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment.
  • On March 28, Valencia was released from custody.
  • On March 30, Valencia was found dead in the back of the unlocked patrol car.

The players

Eric Valencia

A 37-year-old man who was found dead in the back of an Azusa police patrol car.

Rocky Wenrick

The Chief of Police in Azusa, who confirmed details about the incident and the ongoing investigation.

Steve Sears

A Detective Lieutenant with the Azusa Police Department, who is encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

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What they’re saying

“It is not uncommon for vehicles to be out of service and parked for days and/or weeks at a time, as we have a large fleet of emergency vehicles. The vehicle had been left unlocked, and it should have been secured.”

— Rocky Wenrick, Chief of Police

What’s next

Azusa police are expected to release security footage on Monday that shows how Valencia ended up in the unlocked patrol car. The independent investigation into the incident is also ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for stricter protocols and oversight when it comes to the security and maintenance of police vehicles, even those that are temporarily out of service. It raises questions about potential gaps in fleet management that could pose risks to public safety.