Glendale Police, in Arizona, reported the arrest of Domonic Rodolico, 24, who faces a charge of first-degree premeditated murder for the death of Arianna Bailey Jones, 21.

According to authorities, Jones and Rodolico met on social media and maintained contact online before deciding to meet in person.

Detectives believe the two attended a movie screening during what would have been their first date and later headed to a remote desert area north of the Phoenix metropolitan area, where the crime allegedly occurred, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

The suspect claimed that two strangers attacked them

During interrogations, Rodolico denied having killed the young woman and stated that they were both attacked by two unknown men who suddenly appeared in the desert.

According to the version he gave to investigators, he managed to escape the alleged attack while Jones remained at the scene.

However, police said physical evidence, digital records, surveillance recordings and cell phone data contradict that explanation.

Authorities also noted that the suspect's story changed repeatedly during the investigation.

Another element that aroused suspicion was that Rodolico never called 911 or reported to the authorities the alleged attack that he claimed to have suffered.

Cameras and cell phones helped reconstruct the route

The investigation made it possible to follow the couple's movements from Jones' apartment to a cinema and later to the desert area where the remains were found.

Detectives recovered a glass from a movie concession at the scene, evidence that helped link the scene to the date the two had had hours before.

Additionally, investigators discovered that Rodolico had visited that same isolated area on several occasions before the young woman's disappearance.

Police said they have not yet determined whether the crime was planned or occurred circumstantially.

The discovery of his dog and his phone raised alarms

Arianna's family reported her missing on July 7 after several days without hearing from her, something they considered unusual due to the frequent contact they maintained.

When officers executed a search warrant at the young woman's apartment, they found signs that they considered worrying.

His cell phone remained inside the home and his dog was locked in a cage, apparently without food and surrounded by waste that had accumulated for several days.

Researchers later located a shallow grave in a remote desert area. Although the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office is still working to officially determine the cause and manner of death, police said clothing and other evidence found next to the body matched that of Jones.

The defendant was on probation.

Authorities reported that Rodolico has a history related to robbery crimes and was on probation at the time of his arrest.

He currently remains detained with bail set at $2 million.

The murder charge comes less than a year after he was sentenced in another criminal case involving robberies at Phoenix-area gas stations.

While forensic analysis and investigation continue to determine the motive for the crime, police maintain that the combination of surveillance technology, cell phone data and detective work quickly cleared up the disappearance and death of Arianna Bailey Jones.