PUEBLO– A woman whose body was found inside a suitcase thrown into a dumpster at a car wash in Pueblo, Colorado Thursday, Oct. 17, has been identified as the suspect’s mother, according to the Pueblo Chieftain.
Surveillance video released by the Pueblo Police Department shows a person removing a burdensome suitcase out of the trunk of a blue sedan and callously dropping it into a dumpster. Police received several tips as a result of the video which led to the arrest of Anthony Cuevas, 36, of Monte Vista for suspicion of first-degree murder. The apprehension occurred Friday, Oct. 18, near Adolfo’s restaurant on the north side of Pueblo, according to the Chieftain report.
Cuevas was also arrested for an active warrant for parole violation. According to Colorado Department of Corrections records, Cuevas was sentenced in Rio Grande County to 10 years in prison in 2014 and was later released on parole. Cuevas wife, Melanie Ann Cuevas, 36, was also arrested for a separate warrant for criminal impersonation.
Maria Agnes Cuevas-Garcia, 58, of Pueblo has been identified as the victim by the Pueblo County coroner. The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirmed that she is the mother of Anthony Cuevas.
The Chieftain report stated Cuevas was set to be advised of his rights electronically Monday, Oct. 21, and will have his first court appearance Wednesday, Oct. 23. A judge has sealed the case. According to court documents, a police detective filed a motion to seal the case Saturday, Oct. 19. “Your affiant believes that if the affidavit were to be unsealed, it will provide circumstantial or direct information to the criminal case report supporting this arrest warrant, which was initiated by the Pueblo Police Department in Pueblo County, Colorado, and is an ongoing investigation,” the motion stated.
