SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A Florida man wanted for murder and his niece were arrested Thursday morning when police responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle in a neighborhood.

Luis Fernando Vargas, 42, and his niece, Laura Olaya, 20, both from Broward County, Fla., were arrested by Spanish Fort police.

Vargas, who was wanted for an outstanding warrant for murder, allegedly shot Mariela Escudero, 48, of Hollywood, Fla., earlier this week, officials said in a news release.

Officers believe Vargas fled the scene in a green-grey 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor registered to someone else.

Last week, Spanish Fort police officers responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle in a residential neighborhood.

Officer Steve McGough found Vargas and Olaya asleep in a gray Nissan Sentra near Patrician Drive in Spanish Fort. Sgt. Kenny Hall responded to the scene and questioned the subjects. The two said they were on their way to Baton Rouge, La., to stay with friends. A news release stated Vargas said he was in the U.S. illegally, and his name was Anthony Guerrero. Olaya provided her real name to the officers. A tow truck picked up Vargas and Olaya and dropped them off at the Microtel in Daphne.

The police station later received an alert reporting Olaya and her car were missing from South Florida, and a Missing/Endangered person report had been filed. Spanish Fort and Daphne police arrived at the motel and arrested the two once they realized the man’s true identity.

Vargas and Olaya were taken into custody at the Baldwin Country Corrections Center. Vargas was charged with murder and obstructing justing using a false identity. Olaya was charged with hindering prosecution or apprehension for assisting Vargas in his flight. Detectives from Broward Country arrived in Spanish Fort Thursday afternoon and are currently continuing with the investigation.