Updated 10/18/12 at 5:09 p.m.
WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
In an attempt to uncover any lead that may help identify the individual responsible for the abduction and subsequent murder of Jessica Ridgeway; authorities are asking the community to try and remember anything that was suspicious or out of place near the Ketner Lake Open Space during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Due to the time frame and geographic proximity of Jessica’s disappearance and the attempted abduction near the Ketner Lake Open Space, police are trying to determine if there is any connection between the two cases. The suspect from the attempted abduction at Ketner Lake on May 28, 2012 was described as follows:
· Light skinned male
· 18 – 30’s (or someone who’s appearance with a ball cap may look that age)
· Brown hair
· Medium build
· 5’06” to 5’08” (Height can vary above or below these approximations)
Westminster police and assisting law enforcement agencies have been unable to associate any vehicle in either of these incidents. Several metro area law enforcement jurisdictions are working other cases of attempted abductions and various vehicle or suspect descriptions have been provided. In regards to Westminster’s cases, we only have the above description to provide.
Working with the FBI and the Behavioral Analysis Unit we are asking the public to call us if anyone around you changed their behavior, acted unusual, failed to show up for a family activity or other change that was unusual. We are specifically looking for these behavior changes on October 5, 2012 and days after Jessica’s disappearance and the Memorial Day weekend.
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
Please contact Investigator Trevor Materasso regarding any questions about this press release at 303-658-4427. (Included is the May 28, 2012 press release along with crime alert flyers that were posted in the community)
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Updated 10/17/12 at 4:53 p.m.
In light of recent events, residents are on heightened alert to strange or unusual behavior and the police department appreciates your awareness. We have received numerous calls about suspicious people and/or incidents and we are investigating each one. We do however want to caution citizens that while we will look into each report; each one is not suspect.
We will notify parents of these reports, but want to reiterate that some may have not reached a conclusion point at the time they were distributed. This is for information sharing purposes only. If further information develops from any of the reports, we will update with pertinent information.
A student reported that as he neared Falcon Bluffs Middle School he observed a dark blue or black sedan following him. The male that was driving the vehicle stopped the car and yelled at the student, who then ran away. The man ran after him and caught him, but the student managed to get away. The man is described as a white male, 35 - 40 years of age, 200-plus pounds with medium salt and pepper hair.
This incident has been reported to the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office and school district security. We will continue to make you aware of any reports we know about.
Updated 10/15/12 at 1:33 p.m.
In light of recent events, residents are on heightened alert to strange or unusual behavior and the police department appreciates your awareness. We have received numerous calls about suspicious people and/or incidents and we are investigating each one. We do however want to caution citizens that while we will look into each report; each one is not suspect.
We will notify parents of these reports, but want to reiterate that some may have not reached a conclusion point at the time they were distributed. This is for information sharing purposes only. If further information develops from any of the reports, we will update with pertinent information.
Oct 15 – A student reported that she was approached at approximately 7:40 a.m. by a man at Memorial Park who asked her to come over. The student reported as she walked away, he started following her. Man is described as 6’ tall, approximately 30 years of age with goatee-looking facial hair, wearing a black hoodie and green t-shirt.
Updated 10-11-12 at 5:21 p.m.
Updated 10-11-12 at 4:39 p.m.
What Parents Can Do - For parents of children exposed to violence or disaster
Updated 10-11-12 at 4:36 p.m.
This Crisis Center has been established by Jefferson County Mental Health and Jefferson County Public Schools. It will be open from 5 - 9 p.m. tonight and then 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. tomorrow. The address again is the Wells Fargo building at 7878 N. Wadsworth Blvd. The center will be on the 1st floor. Please use through the North entrance.
Updated 10-11-12 at 4:19 p.m.
A Crisis Center is being set up tonight where Crisis Counselors will be on site for anyone who would like to stop by. This Center will be at the Wells Fargo Building at 7878 N. Wadsworth Blvd. on the 1st Floor.
Updated 10-11-12 at 1:30 p.m.
Investigators are still working to identify the body found in the open space. The process is complicated because the body is not intact. We are hopeful for a positive identification by tomorrow. There will be a formal press conference once we have a positive ID. We continue to seek tips in this case. If you think you may have information that will help investigators, please call 303-658-4336.
Updated 10-11-12 at 8 a.m.
Westminster and Arvada police continue to jointly work the crime scene at Pattridge Park, where a body was found Wednesday. Investigators have been working throughout the night and into today to positively identify the body. In the meantime, police canvasses and searches will continue in and around the location of Jessica Ridgeway's disappearance, as well as other nearby open space areas.
Official information on the Jessica Ridgeway case will only come from the Westminster Police Department. When we have more information that we can provide to the public and media, we will share it via Twitter and Facebook.
We thank our community for your support and patience during this investigation. We continue to seek tips in this case. If you think you may have information that will help investigators, please call 303-658-4336.