Colorado investigators from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office used mobile device forensics to track down and apprehend three Arvada high school seniors suspected of being involved in the rock-throwing slaying of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell.
3 Identified Suspects
On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, April 25 and 26, detectives went to the Arvada homes of the three suspects and took custody of them, together with the three parents, The Denver Post reported.
Joseph Koenig, Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak were all detained without bond. The allegations against them, including first-degree murder with extreme indifference, will be presented before them on Thursday, April 27, according to the press release from Jefferson County authorities.
The three are accused of hurling rocks at seven people last week, including Bartell, who was murdered when one smashed through the glass of her yellow Chevy Spark and struck her while she was on the phone.
A spokesperson for the First Judicial District Attorney's Office indicated on Wednesday that further charges are likely to be brought depending on their findings.
Investigators from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office collaborated with the police departments of Westminster, Arvada, and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to track down and apprehend the criminals.
Reportedly, mobile device forensics using cell phone towers was crucial in investigating, identifying, and locating the culprits. More than 300 tips from the public offered supporting information that assisted police in identifying the perpetrators.
Deadly Rock-Throwing Spree
The perpetrators reportedly moved from one location to another while hurling massive rocks through the windows of passing cars. Jacki Kelley, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said this was the first time they had ever seen anything like that.
"This was a beautiful young woman with her whole life in front of her who was simply driving home," Kelley added, referring to Bartell.
The police have also identified the suspect car, a black 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Kelley said detectives think all three suspects tossed rocks, but it is still unclear who was driving during the rock-throwing frenzy last week.
All three accused grew up as pals in different houses. One of them graduated from Ralston Valley High School, and one went to Stanley High School. It was reported that the other was attending classes via an online platform.
On the evening of April 19 at 10:45 PM, Bartell was slain while traveling north in the 10600 block of Indiana Street. A rampage that started about 10:00 PM that night in Westminster resulted in her Chevy Spark being struck with "large landscaping rocks," according to officials.
In a report by CBS News, two drivers who were attacked in the other incidents only sustained minor wounds. The attack impacted seven cars.
"We have a safer community this morning," Kelley remarked after the arrests were made. "We were concerned this was a crime that could potentially happen again."
