GREELEY, Colo. — Content Warning: This article includes topics that may be sensitive for some readers, including sexual assault.
A young woman found dead in the back of her vehicle Friday night in Greeley has been identified, and a suspect is in custody.
Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega.
Greeley Police said they were called just before 8 p.m. Friday to a report of suspicious activity at Noco Nutrition, in the 1900 block of 59th Avenue. When officers arrived, they found Vega's glasses in the parking lot and blood on the sidewalk in front of the business.
A little after 10:30 p.m., police found Vega's vehicle a little over a mile away, near 71st Avenue and 20th Street. Police said the missing woman was found dead in the backseat.
Police arrested a suspect, identified as Marco Vallejos. According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance cameras showed Vallejos enter Noco Nutrition at 5:36 p.m. with a backpack over his shoulder. He interacted with Vega briefly at the shop's counter and then sat a table.
Vallejos shuffled papers in and out of his backpack, drawing and writing on them, for nearly an hour. Just after 6:15 p.m., the last customer left the store, leaving Vega alone inside with Vallejos, the affidavit says.
At 6:25 p.m., Vallejos got up from his table and walked to the restroom. The affidavit says he was out of camera view. Vega was seen on security cameras cleaning and preparing to close the store.
At 6:36 p.m., Vallejos followed Vega behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet, the affidavit says.
Afterward, Vallejos took Vega's car keys and pulled her car closer to the business's front door. He cut a cover off a couch inside the shop, wrapped her body in the cover, put her in the backseat of her own vehicle and drove away, the affidavit states.
Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby.
The affidavit says that as officers approached, Vallejos said something to the effect of "Yeah, I'm your guy."
Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and sexual assault.
According to court documents, in November, Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, which are both misdemeanors. Officers said Vallejos threw a brick through the window of the Greeley Church of Latter Day Saints and went inside. Vallejos failed to show up for a court date in March.
Vega's family posted a statement on Facebook that read in part:
"Angelica Vega was a Daughter a grand daughter a sister a niece a cousin a friend. She was beautiful smart loving and caring young lady filled with so much joy! She cherished life and those in it! SHE had dreams! She had goals and loved adventures! She was very unique and had a heart of gold! She was funny! She had a beautiful bright smile that could light up a room! Angie always put her mother and siblings first!"
A family friend said Vega had a heart of gold and worked hard to help her mom and siblings in every way she could. The friend said Vega would take her siblings out to dinner one day a month to spend time with them.
Every picture of Vega at the memorials shows her smile. Her family said at work, she wrote a message on every cup to cheer up customers.
Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event.
"We're here for you. We're praying for your family. If you need anything, we're here," Bowie said. "It’s really scary to know that she was doing her job and someone so innocent can be taken for no reason, no reason at all.”
Greeley resident Leandra Walker never met Vega or her family, but she left flowers and a poem at the store. People from the community came by all day Saturday to pay their respects.
"I hope maybe her family can see that there are people who care even though we didn't know her," Walker said. "She was part of our community."
Police said the investigation is still ongoing. They asked anyone with more information about the case to call Detective Onderlinde at 970-350-9676.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Investigations & Crime