An alleged package thief died in custody on Riker’s Island Tuesday – less than a day after a woman housed in a different facility within the notorious jail complex suffered a fatal medical episode, officials said.
Umais Khan, 40 – who cops say allegedly pilfered packages from a SoHo building earlier this month – was lying in bed just before 11 a.m. inside the Eric M. Singer Center and would not get up, according to the city’s Department of Correction.
Staff members immediately performed CPR on Khan until medical staff arrived minutes later, the DOC said.
Khan ultimately could not be saved and was pronounced dead around 11:20 a.m., officials said.
The detainee, from Queens, was arrested on May 5 for allegedly prying open the door of an apartment building at MacDougal and Prince streets and stealing packages a day earlier, according to the NYPD.
He has 21 arrests on his record, largely for burglaries, petit larcenies and grand larcenies, cops said.
“I am absolutely devastated that we have lost someone in our care and this tragedy is felt by every member of service,” DOC Commissioner Stanley Richards said in a statement. “On behalf of myself and the Department, I share my deepest condolences with his loved ones. This incident will be investigated.”
A day earlier, Rajpattie Ramkellawan, 41 – who was detained in the Rose M. Singer Center – suffered a “medical emergency,” according to the DOC.
Medical assistance was provided, but Ramkellawan died at 11:15 a.m., officials said.
In 2023 alone, Ramkellawan racked up multiple burglary and petit larceny arrests, including for package theft, according to police.
The specific causes of both deaths remain under investigation.
In both cases, the DOC said the remediation manager, federal monitor, Board of Correction, State Attorney General’s Office, City Department of Investigation, State Commission of Correction, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the Bronx and Queens District Attorneys and the individuals’ attorneys have been notified.
So far this year, four people have died in DOC custody.
Barry Cozart, 39 – who was held on Rikers Island on burglary and larceny charges – died after correction officers found him in need of medical aid on March 25, officials said.
Accused drug-ring leader John Price, 49, was being held at notorious lock-up three days later when he complained to guards that he needed medical attention, officials said.
Price was moved off the island for treatment at the Elmhurst Hospital Center, but he could not be saved, according to authorities.
