UPDATE: WESTMINSTER, Colo. - Westminster Police announced Wednesday they have arrested a 17-year-old in the abduction and murder of Jessica Ridgeway.
"I'm pleased to announce that today I believe we have taken a significant step toward justice for Jessica. We have made an arrest in the Jessica Ridgeway case: 17-year-old Austin Sigg is in our custody," Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk announced during a noon news conference.
Westminster police said they received a call late Tuesday evening that led them to Sigg's home near the Ketner Lake Open Space, which is about 1 mile from Ridgeway's home.
He was arrested at his home around 7:45 p.m. and cooperated with police and waived his rights. Sigg's aunt told 7NEWS that he turned himself in.
Investigators said they will file charges against Sigg in the death of Ridgeway and the May 28 attempted abduction at Ketner Lake.
Sigg does not appear on any sex offender lists and since he is a juvenile, his previous record has been sealed.
He is being held at the Mountain View Juvenile facility.
"We hope and pray that this arrest gives them (Jessica's family) some measure of closure in dealing with this horrible tragedy and loss that they have suffered. We hope also that know that an arrest was made in this case will help our community to rest a little easier," Birk said.
Jessica's great-grandmother said she was elated to hear the news.
"Grateful to God that the community pulled together and the police department didn't quit," said Donna Moss, who lives in Independence, Mo.
Moss said she's thankful police didn't let any tips slip though the cracks.
Reported by: thedenverchannel.com
EARLIER STORY:
WESTMINSTER, Colo. - DNA samples have been collected from about 500 people as investigators continue to work through tips and evidence related to the murder of Jessica Ridgeway.
Everyone who submitted DNA samples in the case did so voluntarily, said Westminster Police Department spokesman Trevor Materasso. Samples were collected orally, using a DNA swab.
Jessica was last seen on Friday, Oct. 5 after leaving her Westminster home to walk to Chelsea Park, meet friends and continue to school together. Her friends said she never showed up at the park.
Jessica's backpack was found on the sidewalk of the Rock Creek subdivision in Superior. Police said it appeared to have been left overnight Saturday.
The 10-year-old's remains were found in an Arvada open space park on Oct. 10.
Materasso said people were asked to provide a DNA sample if they used their cell phones near the three crime scene areas.
Others were asked for a sample if they were identified based on tips from the public or by police officers during neighborhood searches.
On Monday, Materasso also confirmed that investigators had found a direct connection between Jessica's murder and man attacking woman jogger at Ketner Lake in May.
"We are able to make a definitive link," he said.
The suspect in the Ketner Lake attack was described as a light-skinned man who ranged in age from 18 to his 30s. He had brown hair, a medium build and was about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall.
People matching that description were also asked to provide a DNA sample for the Jessica Ridgeway investigation.
Although Materasso confirmed the samples were collected, he didn't discuss how the samples would be used in the investigation.
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