Suspect caught on camera tossing dead woman into dumpster identified, arrested for murder: Reports

Colorado authorities arrested a man suspected of murdering a woman whose body was discovered in a suitcase that had been tossed into a dumpster, the Denver Post reports.

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Police in Pueblo, Colorado, announced shortly before 6 p.m. Friday that Anthony “Antonio” Cuevas, 36, had been taken into custody. A witness captured the arrest on video and shared it with KRDO-TV.

Officers also arrested Cuevas’ 36-year-old wife, Melanie Ann Cuevas, who was being held on a warrant for criminal impersonation.

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The arrests come after investigators on Thursday released surveillance video of a man driving up to a dumpster at a car wash early that morning, taking a suitcase from the trunk and throwing it away. Investigators believe that person was Anthony Cuevas.

Police found the suspect’s vehicle — a small, blue, four-door car — on Friday and executed search warrants around the city looking for him, according to Sgt. Franklyn Ortega of the Pueblo Police Department.

POLICE: suspect in homicide investigation

PLEASE SHARE!Pueblo Police just shared this video of the suspect in a case where a body was found in a suitcase in a dumpster. The body was a female (we will have pictures of her tattoos soon). If you can identify the suspect below please call (719) 320-6049. More info:https://www.kktv.com/content/news/BREAKING-Police-investigate-suspicious-package-found-in-a-dumpster-563306282.html

Posted by KKTV 11 News on Thursday, October 17, 2019

 

Investigators were processing at least three potential crime scenes since the suitcase was discovered: the dumpster, a home in Pueblo and a nearby state park, according to KRDO-TV.

The victim has yet to identified publicly. However, police say she had a distinctive tattoo of a female clown on her right thigh; she also had been wearing an Air Force t-shirt and shorts with the logo of M&M candies.

KRDO-TV reports that multiple people have posted pictures of Cuevas on Facebook and said he killed his mother. Authorities have not confirmed the information.

NEW VIDEO: Watch as Pueblo PD arrest a suspect at a northside taco shop. Sources tell us this was tied to Thursday's homicide investigation. FULL STORY https://www.krdo.com/1133492465

Posted by KRDO NewsChannel 13 / KRDO.com on Friday, October 18, 2019

 

Police initially were not sure if the body was real or if it was a Halloween prop, according to KKTV. Investigators eventually towed the entire dumpster from the scene.

To report information about the case, contact the Pueblo Police Department at 719-553-2420 or send an anonymous tip at pueblocrimestoppers.com.

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[Feature Photo: Pueblo PD security footage screenshot]