Man dies after being held down by Tigard Safeway loss prevention worker

A suspected shoplifter died after a loss prevention worker detained him at a Tigard grocery store, allegedly holding him by the neck at one point.

The incident occurred Aug. 9, when officers from the Tigard and King City police departments responded to a call regarding a disturbance at the Tigard Safeway at 15570 Highway 99W, according to a press release from the Tigard Police Department issued Sept. 5.

Police learned that a loss prevention worker had detained the man, later identified as 46-year-old Michael Letendre, for alleged shoplifting. Witnesses said the loss prevention worker held Letendre on the ground, at one point holding him by his neck, according to the release.

“When officers arrived, the man was unconscious,” the release stated. “Witnesses told officers the loss prevention worker began CPR, then another store employee took over. When officers arrived, they continued CPR and applied an AED until paramedics arrived to take the man to the hospital.”

Letendre, believed to be a Portland resident, died at the hospital on Aug. 16.

Tigard police said the loss prevention worker wasn’t a Safeway employee — he worked for a private security company that contracts with the grocer. Since the worker hasn’t been charged with a crime, police are not releasing his name, the release stated.

The case has now been deferred to the Washington County District Attorney's office to decide if there is cause to pursue criminal charges.

“Detectives are continuing to gather information, which is being reviewed by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s office will make a determination as to whether a grand jury should be convened to review potential criminal charges in this case,” the release stated.