Man Shot Cousin To Death, Left Body In Car Trunk: Police

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — A man whose body was found in the trunk of his car in an abandoned gas station on Tuesday was killed by his cousin, police said. The suspect now is believed to be in Mexico.

Allegheny County Police have charged Anoosh Almas, 25, of Beaver County with criminal homicide, theft by unlawful taking, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and firearms violations.

He is charged in connection with the death of Junaid Akhlas, 28, also of Beaver, who was shot once in the head before being placed in his vehicle's trunk. Family members had reported Akhlas missing from his Beaver County home Tuesday morning and located his car and body at the former gas station on University Boulevard shortly after noon.

According to police, Almas called Akhlas Monday evening requesting a ride to Pittsburgh International Airport. Almas later said in a phone call to his uncle that he last saw Akhlas when he was dropped off at the airport.

However, the airport's camera license plate reader indicated Akhlas' car didn't enter airport property that night. Airport surveillance video showed Almas getting out of a Lyft vehicle.

Investigators also discovered a gun registered to Almas behind the gas station and bloody clothing in a trash can at a nearby Super 8 motel where the Lyft driver has picked up Almas.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477).

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