Body found in trunk of burning car in Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Police say a body was found in the trunk of a burning car after it fled from a traffic stop in Phoenix.

Phoenix police say it started in the parking lot of a strip mall on Eutopia and Cave Creek Road when an on-duty security guard called 911 after a suspect pointed a gun at her.

"This person was inside a four-door, white vehicle and that description was given to police," Sgt. Vince Lewis said.

A short time later, a patrol officer spotted that white car at a gas station near Beardsley and Cave Creek Road. Officers tried to stop the car, but the driver took off and eventually made a turn onto Grover's Avenue just a few miles away.

When police found the car, it was off the road and engulfed in flames.

"The cab is burnt, they said something about a body in the trunk and you know, the trunk isn't burnt," Lenny Johnson said.

Curious and concerned, Lenny Johnson came out to check on the commotion and got a closer look at the car. Johnson heard the police helicopter searching for two people who witnesses say jumped out of the car moments before it caught fire.

"We walk our dogs here at the dog park, I wanted to hurry up and get over here, see how much of it is taped off," he said.

Police taped off most of the surrounding neighborhood and the security guard who first called for help was on the scene with investigators from police and the fire department.

"We're going to take a look at the evidence as best we can, perhaps with assistance from their department, arson investigators to see if we can determine what the cause of the fire was because there was no collision when the car came to rest," Sgt. Lewis said.

Investigators are hopeful that surveillance footage from any nearby businesses will help. They're asking anyone with any information to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.