Authorities are investigating a body found in a pickup with a Tennessee license plate that was parked in a Linden shopping center.

A Sam's Club employee in Linden called police Monday after a shopper described a foul odor in the parking lot early Monday night.

The Star-Ledger reports police were seen pulling a handgun from the vehicle. The Dodge pickup had a Tennessee specialty license plate with the word "PROTECT" on it.

Linden Police Lt. James Sarnicki tells the newspaper it hasn't been determined whether the death was the result of foul play.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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