Nassau police say a Brooklyn man died in custody after a medical emergency early Wednesday morning, and the homicide squad is investigating.

Police say a manager at the Applebee's on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont told officers that three men in a gold Chevrolet Malibu allegedly left without paying their bill at 12:43 a.m.

Authorities say officers saw a car matching the description turn off its headlights and drive out of the parking lot -- over a curb, bushes and a sidewalk -- as it headed westbound onto Hempstead Turnpike.

The car then collided with a guardrail at a nearby Shell gas station. Police say the people inside fled the scene on foot.

After a brief chase, police arrested 20-year-old Marlon Paton, of Brooklyn, and two other people. They caught Paton on Fieldmere Street, and he reportedly told police he wasn't feeling well.

Police say Paton appeared lethargic and disoriented, indicating that he was in medical distress.

Paton was transported to Franklin General Hospital in Valley Stream for evaluation and treatment, and was pronounced dead at 10:47 a.m.

Police say they did not use force when arresting Paton, and that they let him sit in the back of a squad car until an ambulance arrived.

Police also arrested 20-year-old Kristofer Pettway, of Elmont, on Warwick Road, and 21-year-old Marquis Bernard, of Brooklyn, after police say he ignored officers, resisted arrest and attempted to jump over a fence.

Pettway lives on Fieldmere Street, near where police arrested Paton. His family declined to comment to News 12.

Pettway and Bernard have been charged with theft of services. Bernard has also been charged with resisting arrest.

Both defendants were charged today.