Cops: Man found in burning car may be shooting victim

Investigators tonight are trying to connect the dots between two violent incidents that occurred blocks, and hours, apart.

Just before 8 p.m., officers on patrol in Olney spotted smoke coming from an alley on Lawrence Street near 5th. When they investigated, they found a black Mitsubishi Gallant "engulfed in flames," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

After Fire Department personnel extinguished the inferno, they discovered the body of a man in the car's front passenger seat, said Small.

The victim had been burned beyond recognition, making identification impossible until further tests by the Medical Examiner's Office are completed, said Small.

Police believe the blaze is related to a shooting four hours earlier on Roselyn Street near 4th, about two blocks away.

In that incident, witnesses told police, a man was shot in the head inside the passenger seat of a vehicle, and the driver sped away with the victim.

The make of that car? A black Mitsubishi Gallant.

Small stressed that the investigation is ongoing, and couldn't confirm that the man inside the burned car was the man shot on Roselyn Street.

But there was enough similarity for Star Watson.

Watson was being interviewed by detectives from Northwest Division in connection to the Roselyn Street shooting. Her 24-year-old brother — whose identity the Daily News is withholding pending the outcome of the investigation — had been reported missing earlier today.

"I feel like it's him; all the stories match up," Watson said. "He just had a baby who's not even 2 months old.

"This is just heartbreaking."

Small said witnesses on Lawrence Street told police that a heavyset man was seen running from the burning vehicle.

Tipsters should call 215-686-8477.