Police: Local teen arrested in Colo. girl's death
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| Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey addresses the media during the announcement of the arrest of Austin Reed Sigg,17, for the murder of Jessica Ridgeway at the Westminster Police Station Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 in Westminster Colo. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez) |
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WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP) — A teenager who lived just a mile from a 10-year-old Colorado girl who was abducted and killed earlier this month has been arrested in her death, along with a May attack on a runner, authorities said Wednesday.
Police in the Denver suburb of Westminster said they arrested 17-year-old Austin Reed Sigg on Tuesday night after receiving a phone call, apparently from his mother, that led them to Sigg.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Sigg's mother told The Associated Press he turned himself in.
"I made the phone call, and he turned himself in. That's all I have to say," said Mindy Sigg, before she broke down in tears and hung up.
Police announced the arrest as agents searched Sigg's home, but they have released few details about the investigation. Court documents have been sealed, but a police custody report said Sigg was cooperative when he was arrested and waived his rights.
Jessica Ridgeway disappeared Oct. 5 while walking to school. Her body was found five days later in a field at a park.
The break in the case came a day after police said Jessica's abduction was linked to the May 28 attempted kidnapping of a 22-year-old runner at another park, the Ketner Lake Open Space.
In that case, a woman fought off a stranger who grabbed her from behind and put a rag that smelled of chemicals over her mouth, authorities said. Westminster investigator Trevor Materasso said Tuesday police haven't been able to determine if the substance on the rag was meant to subdue the woman.
Authorities didn't say why they think the two cases are linked, but they noted Sigg will be charged in both crimes. His first court appearance is set for 8 a.m. Thursday.
Police said they notified the Ridgeway family of the arrest Wednesday morning.
"We hope and pray that this arrest brings them some measure of closure in dealing with this enormous loss that they've suffered," Police Chief Lee Birk said.
The arrest also brought relief to the community, which has been on edge as authorities searched for Jessica's killer. More parents have been waiting with their children at bus stops, and high school students have volunteered to walk younger children to school to keep them safe.
"Every parent in every Colorado community will rest a little easier tonight," said Gov. John Hickenlooper, who has a 10-year-old son. "While we still mourn the death of Jessica Ridgeway, we are relieved an arrest has been made and the pursuit of justice can continue."
Jessica was walking down a quiet street in her modest Westminster neighborhood when she was last seen alive. Her school backpack was found three days later in Superior, another Denver suburb about seven miles northwest of her home.
After her disappearance, more than 1,000 officers and 10 agencies, including the FBI, investigated the case, following up on more than 4,000 leads.
Authorities had long said Jessica's killer could be someone from the community. But early on, they didn't seem to have any particular suspect in mind. They asked residents to be on the lookout for anything suspicious from their bosses, friends and family members, watching for things like leaving home unexpectedly, missing appointments or changing their appearance.
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Associated Press writer Dan Elliott contributed to this report.
