CHICAGO — The man accused of stealing a postal service truck and a suburban police cruiser last month was found dead inside the Cook County jail on Sunday, officials said.
Miguel Alvarado, 36, was discovered unresponsive in the shower area of the jail’s Residential Treatment Unit around 2:53 p.m., a sheriff’s office spokesperson said. The RTU houses detainees needing medical treatment.
A bedsheet was tied around a fixture and around Alvarado’s neck, according to the spokesperson. They said workers called 911 and began lifesaving measures, but Alvarado was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
“There is no evidence of foul play at this time, but the cause and manner of death are pending autopsy by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office,” according to the spokesperson. The autopsy results were still pending on Monday afternoon.
Following protocols, the sheriff’s office asked the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force to conduct an independent investigation of the matter.
Alvarado entered the jail on March 22 after a judge ordered him detained on charges of aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated reckless driving.
Officials said Alvarado stole a Bedford Park Police Department squad car on March 19. Prosecutors said he subsequently stole a U.S. Postal Service delivery truck, which he crashed into another vehicle in Bridgeview.
A woman and her two sons, ages 4 and 7, were injured in the high-speed crash. Video of the scene was captured by @arabchicago on X:
? Shocking Incident! ? A suspect stole a police car, then hijacked a USPS truck, causing a horrific crash. A woman and her children are in very critical condition. Keep them in your duas! ?? #Chicago #PrayersForTheVictims pic.twitter.com/nPrVdrqRdC
— Arab chicago (@ArabChicago) March 20, 2025
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