JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Three 18-year-olds have been arrested in connection to a rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old woman. The men were each taken into custody at their homes in Arvada, Colorado.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) said they arrested Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak. According to a sheriff’s office spokesperson, all three are seniors at different high schools in the county. Investigators do not believe they had any relation to the victims in the crime spree.
The three suspects were arrested in connection to the rock-throwing crime spree that killed Alexa Bartell on April 19. Also of Arvada, Bartell was driving when she was hit by a large rock. This was not the first instance of rocks being thrown at cars that night. A total of five incidents were reported.
JCSO said it is unclear which suspect was driving during the crime spree. All three are accused of throwing rocks, and each faces a charge of first-degree murder with extreme indifference. Additional charges are expected to be filed later.
“I have a lot of anger that they would do this,” said another victim, Nathan Tipton. “I have a lot of anger that they took somebody’s life.”
JCSO worked with Westminster Police, Arvada Police, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to identify the suspects. The sheriff’s office said mobile device forensics and support from the public ultimately led them to the suspects.