Linden Police investigate a grey Dodge truck with Tennessee plates in the Sam's Club parking lot July 16, 2012 in Linden. Early reports indicated that a body was found in the truck. Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger

LINDEN, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities are investigating a body found in a pickup with a Tennessee license plate that was parked in a New Jersey shopping center.

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

The Star-Ledger of Newark 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.

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Information from: The Star-Ledger, http://www.nj.com/starledger