Wednesday, October 24, 2012

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP) — A teenage boy who lived about five miles from a 10-year-old Colorado girl who was abducted and killed earlier this month has been arrested in her death, along with an attack on a runner in May, police said Wednesday.

LawOfficer.com Complete Coverage:

• Jessica Ridgeway Abduction, Slaying

Police in the Denver suburb of Westminster said they arrested 17-year-old Austin Reed Sigg after getting a tip that led them to a home Tuesday night.

Sigg's residence is about five miles from the home of Jessica Ridgeway, who disappeared Oct. 5 after leaving for school. Her body was found five days later in a field at a park.

"We worked on this case nonstop, around the clock, since Oct. 5, the day of her abduction," Police Chief Lee Birk said at news conference. "I believe we've made a significant step towards justice for Jessica."

The break in the case comes two days after police said Jessica's abduction was linked to the May 28 attempted abduction of a 22-year-old runner at another park, the Ketner Lake Open Space. Police say their tip led them to a home near that park, which is close to Jessica's school.

Sigg will be charged in both cases. His first court appearance is set for 8 a.m. Thursday.

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 the phone.

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," Birk said.