Ames police said Friday (Today), a man has been charged with first-degree murder after a female was found dead in an apartment Thursday. According to police, officers conducted a welfare check at an apartment at 5308 Mortensen Road at 6:10 p.m. Thursday. Officers found the body of the woman inside.

“Based on the initial investigation, it appeared the deceased died as a result of a homicide. The deceased was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family,” police said in a news release.

Ames police investigators and officers with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the suspect as 26-year-old Oscar Chavez, of Ames. Ames police said Chaves was stopped more than 80 miles away by Sac County Sheriff’s deputies near Auburn, Iowa at 11:55 p.m. Thursday. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5133 or the anonymous tip line at 515-239-5533. You may also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400. Online anonymous tips may be submitted to www.crimestoppersofcentraliowa.co