'Person of interest' not involved in death of man found in pickup

Person of interest not involved in Lakeland Shores death

Last update: November 18, 2009 - 8:20 PM

Authorities say a "person of interest" sought by police last week after a man was found dead in a pickup in Washington County was determined not to be involved in the death.

Washington County Sheriff's Cmdr. Patrick Olson said Tirso Pineda, 39, from Washington State but currently living in St. Paul, came forward as the registered owner of the pickup in which the body of Juan Calvillo Bolanos, also known as Eduardo Escobar Felix, 37, from California, was discovered Nov. 10 in Lakeland Shores along the St. Croix River.

The body was discovered around 4:40 a.m. after a Washington County sheriff's deputy was flagged by a citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of Quinnell Avenue N. Authorities have not yet said how Bolanos/Felix died, but they've characterized the death as a homicide.

Olson said Wednesday that Pineda told authorities he had loaned the truck to Bolanos/Felix and that Pineda was not believed to be involved in his death. Olson said investigators continue to follow leads and may have identified a motive, but he would not elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

ABBY SIMONS