Police find body when stolen pickup recovered

UPDATE, Jan. 23: Racine police arrested Oswaldo Estrada, 30, on immigration charges today, and plan to charge him Monday with the 1st Degree Intentional Homicide of Jose Martinez.

UPDATE, Jan. 21: The homicide victim has been identified as Jose Martinez, 48, of Racine. He is believed to be homeless and police are looking for assistance in tracking his activities and whereabouts from Sunday evening into Monday morning prior to his death. According to the autopsy, the victim suffered several stab wounds that may have contributed to his death.

Original post:

Racine appears to have another homicide on its hands, the first of 2009.

Police say they were called to the 1800 block of Green Street shortly before noon to recover a stolen pickup truck -- and found a body. They said the victim -- whom they identified only as a male under age 50 -- was on the passenger side floor area, partially covered.

A police statement said: The vehicle was initially stolen from the area of Cliffs at 1348 State St. at approximately 12:49 a.m. and recovered by the custodian of the vehicle who had been driving around after daylight today in efforts to locate the vehicle. When he found the vehicle, he contacted police who then initiated the recovery process. Because of weather conditions, the vehicle was towed to the Racine Police Department Service garage where the vehicle and contents (including the victim) could be properly processed. The victim was transported to Waukesha for an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow.