Photo: Prince George Detachment

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been called to Prince George after a man died about an hour after he was arrested by RCMP.

Prince George RCMP responded to a call Tuesday of a man that was reportedly "casing vehicles" in a parking lot. When police located the suspect he attempted to flee on a bicycle.

The lone police officer on scene called for backup because a struggle allegedly ensued between the officer and the man.  

After the officer put in a distress call, several other members arrived on scene. Pepper spray was used during the course of police's interaction with the man and he was placed inside a police car.

Police requested immediate medical assistance after the man they arrested began to have a hard time breathing. When the ambulance arrived, the man collapsed after being taken out of the police car. The man was pronounced dead in hospital, just after midnight.

The matter is now under investigation by the IIO to determine if there is a connection between the man's death and the actions of the police.