Man found dead in pickup ID'd; truck's owner sought

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 9:16 PM

Washington County authorities have identified a man found dead in a pickup truck Tuesday in Lakeland Shores and are seeking the public's help in tracking down the truck's owner, who has been identified as a person of interest in the case.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office said the dead man was Juan Calvillo Bolanos, also known as Eduardo Escobar Felix, 37, from California.

Bolanos was found in a 1997 white Dodge truck with Minnesota license plates LRY 427. The registered owner is Tirso Pineda, 39, from Washington state.

The body was discovered around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday after a Washington County sheriff's deputy was flagged down by a citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of Quinnell Avenue N. in Lakeland Shores.

Authorities said they have determined that Bolanos was a homicide victim, but they will not say how he was killed. They do not believe the slaying was random.

Authorities are seeking information to help finding Pineda. They're also looking for Bolanos' most recent address, or information about anyone who may have been seen in the Dodge truck or have knowledge of why Bolanos was in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 651-439-9381 or Minnesota Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information resulting in an arrest could be worth a reward of up to $1,000.

ABBY SIMONS

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