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Body found in bed of truck in Martin County after chase that started in Palm Beach County

2 suspects in custody, Martin County sheriff says
truck found with body in Martin County
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STUART, Fla. — A man's body was found in the bed of a pickup truck in Martin County after a high-speed chase that started Friday evening in Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said someone called 911 shortly after 9 p.m. claiming to have witnessed a shooting.

The caller told the 911 dispatcher that the shooter and his accomplice attempted to drag the victim's body into a canal near Lake Worth.

Deputies were en route to the scene when the caller told them that the pair were loading the victim's body into a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office presence at scene of body in bed of truck in Martin County
Crime scene investigators from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office were in Martin County, where the suspects in the truck were taken into custody.

Before deputies could arrive, the suspects fled with the victim's body in the bed of the truck, Barbera said.

The pickup truck was later located by deputies at Sixth Avenue and Congress Avenue with the victim's body part visible in the rear bed area, Barbera said.

A pursuit ensued, continuing onto northbound Interstate 95 and ending on Martin Highway, just off I-95, when Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies stopped the vehicle using a pit maneuver.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told WPTV the suspects were traveling at a high rate of speed, possibly 100 mph or more.

WATCH: Sheriff discusses body found in bed of pickup truck

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder speaks about body found in bed of pickup truck

"It's just the wrong exit to get off," Snyder said. "Just don't come here."

Deputies found the body of a man in the back of the truck.

According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, the 17-year-old driver was identified as Carlos Castaneda. He faces a charge of fleeing and eluding in Martin County and will face additional charges in Palm Beach County.

Castaneda's female passenger was also taken into custody.

If you have any information regarding the 2007 crimes with ties to the Town Center at Boca Raton, call Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. You can remain anonymous.

You can also contact the detectives assigned to these cold cases using the information below:

Detective Scott Hanley
Boca Raton Police Department
shanley@myboca.us
561-338-1344

Detective William Springer
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
springerw@pbso.org
561-688-4013