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6 new incidents of rock-throwing at moving vehicles in Jefferson County

Crime Scene Barricade Tape Photo Credit: AzmanL (iStock). (copy)

Nearly a year-and-a-half after a 20-year-old Arvada woman was killed when three suspects on a rock-throwing spree hurled a landscaping rock through her windshield, someone is throwing rocks at moving cars again in Jefferson County, according to authorities.

This time, the rock-throwing happened in six separate incidents, all in unincorporated Jefferson County. The drivers in the incidents were not injured, but in all six instances, their vehicles sustained damage to the hoods and grills, and in one, the windshield was broken. 

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the rock-throwing incidents took place between July 19 and Aug. 4. They don’t have the rocks as evidence. 

The rock throwing occurred at West Quincy Avenue and West Quincy Place; West Belleview Avenue and High Toll Trail; West Peakview Avenue and South Everett Way; West Bowles Avenue and South Jay; and, West Coal Mine Avenue and South Webster Street, where there are few surveillance video cameras. 

Last year, Alexa Bartell was hit near the 10600 block of Indiana Street near Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge, approximately 25 to 30 miles from the latest incidents.

Jefferson County sheriff spokesperson Mark Techmeyer described the latest rock throwing occurrences as deeply disturbing “especially with the tragedy we had with Alexa Bartell in April 2023.”

He added that the incidents have happened between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Sheriffs are looking for a small sedan, but the reports varied as to the color of the car. 

At the time of Bartell’s death, she was on the phone with a friend, and the line went silent. Her friend tracked down her phone and drove to the location to find Bartell dead inside her car, which was off the roadway in a field.

Joseph Koenig, the final suspect of three charged in Bartell’s death, will undergo a mental health evaluation after his defense brought up the issue of insanity this summer. His August trial was postponed indefinitely. Koenig’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23. 

Two other suspects, Zachary Kwak and Nicholas Karol-Chik, pleaded guilty to numerous crimes are expected to testify against Koenig at trial. 

Each of the three suspects was initially charged with first-degree murder, but Kwak and Karol-Chick have pleaded guilty to less severe charges in exchange for their testimony.

The incident happened near the 10600 block of Indiana Street near Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge,

Jefferson County used cellphone and video surveillance technology and witness interviews to help solve the Bartell case.

Authorities asked anyone who has experienced a similar incident to call 303-271-0211.



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