A 51-year-old man died in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Saturday evening shortly after being detained by police who had stopped him over a suspected bicycle theft — a suspicion that later proved unfounded. The man, Alfredo Goeloe, a Rotterdammer of Spanish origin, was stopped by officers in the Vaarnerkamp area who were conducting checks following a report of a stolen fatbike — a type of sturdy, wide-tyred electric bicycle popular in the Netherlands. Police have since confirmed that Goeloe's bicycle was not stolen.

According to prosecutors, Goeloe was stopped because he could not produce identification. When an officer attempted to conduct a search for identity documents, Goeloe fled briefly before being detained. During the arrest, he reportedly resisted, then lost consciousness and was given emergency resuscitation. He did not survive. Verified video footage lasting 45 seconds shows several officers pinning Goeloe to the ground while he calls for help. Witnesses, including a neighbour who watched from her balcony, said she counted as many as seven officers on top of him. The footage ends before Goeloe falls ill.

Family members and advocates have raised additional concerns about his health condition. According to the advocacy group Control Alt Delete, which is supporting the family, Goeloe had left his partner's baby shower that evening to fetch medication — he had diabetes. Cries of