A man has been arrested for homicide in connection with a missing Phoenix man who never returned home after attempting to sell his vehicle.
On June 10, Phoenix police officers responded to the area of 35th Avenue and Dunlap Road for a missing person report. Family members told officers that 52-year-old Gustavo Gonzalez left to sell his truck and never came home.
On June 26, police received information about a truck that matched the one belonging to Gonzalez in the area of 29th Avenue and Camelback Road. Officers were able to confirm the truck was Gonzalez's.
When police arrived at that location, they recognized a vehicle that matched an SUV that followed the victim’s truck on June 10. Officers were able to stop the black SUV as it left the area.
During the investigation, police found evidence that indicated the driver of the SUV, 23-year-old Oliver Laris, had contact with Gonzalez. He told officers he bought the truck from Gonzalez for $5,000 and then dropped him off and doesn't know what happened to him.
According to police, investigators were able to develop probable cause to arrest Laris for homicide.
Police believe Gustavo was a victim of a homicide but have not found his body.
Investigators were able to track down the suspect after he posted an ad for the truck on Facebook on June 26.
If you have any information regarding this incident, call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
