Homeless man dies after being arrested

A 58-year-old homeless man died in police custody yesterday, the second in two weeks.

"It's just a coincidence, a tragic coincidence," police Capt. Frank Fujii said yesterday at a news conference.

Charles Wilson was arrested without incident at 6 p.m. Friday at Ala Moana Boulevard and Ohe Street for allegedly punching someone, Fujii said. He was later charged with third-degree assault.

At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Wilson complained of chest pains and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was examined and released, Fujii said.

Yesterday at 6:30 a.m., "Wilson was served breakfast, and by all accounts he seemed to be OK," Fujii said.

Wilson was returned to his cell. Later, when officers went to get Wilson for a morning court appearance, he was found unresponsive, Fujii said.

Wilson was transported by ambulance to Straub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy.

Wilson had been convicted twice for misdemeanor offenses.

After the episode of chest pains on Saturday, Wilson had been placed alone in a cell where he could be observed, Fujii said.

He was not observed going unconscious, however, Fujii said.

Fujii would not disclose how Wilson was being monitored.

Last Wednesday, a 26-year-old homeless man, who was in critical condition after resisting arrest and being pepper-sprayed two days earlier in Chinatown, died in police custody.

Police said the man had been combative and resisted arrest.

In that case the Medical Examiner's Office has not released the cause of death pending other test results.