IQALUIT - A 54-year-old male died while in police custody at the RCMP detachment in Iqaluit on Dec. 9, according to an RCMP press release.

The male was arrested for mischief at his Iqaluit residence at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Dec. 9, according to RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak.

RCMP members noticed the male was unresponsive at about 8 a.m. that morning, Akavak said.

He was taken by ambulance to the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital where we was pronounced dead.

The man co-operated with police during his arrest, Akavak said.

The coroner's office has ordered an autopsy and the cause of death is not yet known. A major crime unit from Yellowknife is scheduled to travel to Iqaluit to conduct an investigation, the release also stated.

Police are not releasing the man's name until his family members have been notified of his death.