Northglenn Thornton
Sentinel
October 25, 2012
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com
Adams County, Colorado • Volume 49, Issue 11
Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk addresses the news media at a press conference Wednesday after an arrest was made in the Jessica Ridgeway case. Photo by Andy Carpenean
Arrest made in Ridgeway case 17-year-old expected to face murder charges By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com A 17-year-old Westminster boy was arrested Tuesday for the murder of 10-yearold Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster. Austin Sigg, an Arapahoe Community College student, will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and a second-degree kidnapping charge, among others and was scheduled for his first court appearance today in Jefferson County. During a press conference on Wednesday, Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said after working non-stop on the case since her disappearance on Oct. 5, he believes a significant step was made in bringing justice to Ridgeway. “I would like to thank the community for the thousands of tips they have provided us in this case,” he said. “Those tips have been instrumental in the case. And I would also like to thank the community for the tremendous public outpouring of support.” The Ridgeway family was notified of
‘I would also like to thank the community for the tremendous public outpouring of support.’ Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk
the arrest Wednesday morning. Birk said he hopes the arrest can bring some comfort to the family and the community. Investigator Trevor Materasso said Sigg will also be charged for the attempted abduction of a young woman on May 28, who was jogging around Ketner Lake in Westminster. Police confirmed a direct link between the two cases on Monday. According to the arrest report, Sigg lives at 10786 Moore St. in Westminster, about a mile-and-a half from Ridgeway’s home, near West 107th Avenue and Moore Street. Ridgeway was last seen by her mother
around 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, walking down the driveway of her home. Her body was found days later in the Pattridge Park Open Space area in Arvada. “Police are blocking access to Sigg’s home and a search warrant has been issued,” Materasso said. Police encourage the community call the tip line with any information that could be connected to the case. Tips can be given to the Westminster Police Department tip center by calling 303-658-4336 or by sending an email to PDamberalert@ cityofwestminster.us.
Sigg
Safety measures increased at Adams 12 By Ashley Reimers areimers@ourcoloradonews. com After the disappearance and murder of Jessica Ridgeway, administrators in Adams 12 Five Star Schools are extending precautionary safety measures in schools.
Pat Hamilton, executive director of operations at Adams 12 Five Star Schools, said district security and risk management staff are increasing patrols around the schools, parks, bus stops and common walking paths. Bus drivers and maintenance staff who drive vans and trucks between school sites, will watch for
and report suspicious behavior and activity. An increase in the number of staff members present outside the school buildings during drop off and pickup times has also been put in place. “We are also reminding students that school buses are safe havens meaning they can flag down a bus any time they feel
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fearful for their safety,” he said. “The bus driver will either give them a ride to school or contact police if needed.” One thing that has always been a safety measure in the district is the protocol for an unexcused absence for elementary students. Hamilton said an office staff member will keep calling all emergency contacts in the event of an unexcused student absence until they connect with a responsible adult. This process is now being extended into all middle schools. “If we are still unable to contact a parent or guardian, we will call police,” Hamilton said. “This has always been something we have done in the elementary schools, but due to the case in Jefferson County, we are now
going to do this process in our middle schools, too.” As for high school students, Hamilton said the district is working to increase the number of phone calls sent out by the automated calling system to parents when a student is absent from class. He said when a student is absent, it’s helpful for parents to contact the school promptly to let them know whether the student is sick or just absent. “It’s important to discuss the safety measures with students at school, but it’s also important for parents to discuss them at home,” he said. “Right now there is a heightened sense of awareness so it’s a good time to remind staff to continue to do this.”