DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit police have new information regarding an incident from the holiday weekend where a dead body was found in a trunk during a traffic stop on the city's west side.
Police say they now have two people in custody.
Police said there weren't any signs of trauma to the body, and that this will likely be an overdose case.
Detroit Police Chief James White said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference the discovery was made when officers made a traffic stop for expired plates in the area of Fullerton and Hubbell Avenues, near I-96, on Saturday.
Officers were working a narcotics surveillance detail in the area and passed along information to officers in a marked squad car, who then made the traffic stop, shortly before midnight.
When officers made the stop, they asked the driver for identification, but he and the passenger were both unable to provide ID, White said.
The officers then made the decision to do an inventory search, going through the vehicle and documenting everything inside.
That’s when both men became uncomfortable and eventually tried to run away. One was captured and one fled.
Related
In the meantime, another officer continued the search of the car and found the man’s body in the trunk.
Officials have not released any information about the victim. White said police are not currently calling this a homicide case, as they’re waiting on the medical examiner’s report.
Authorities did not say what type of vehicle the men were in at the time of the traffic stop and have not released descriptions of either man involved.
The investigation is still ongoing and police are asking anyone who may know something about the incident to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Detroit police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Related
