The Westminster Police Department says that it is exploring a possible link between the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway and an attempted abduction of a woman at Ketner Lake in May.
"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," Westminster Police said in a news release on Thursday.
Ketner Lake is less than a mile from Jessica's home.
During the attempted abduction on May 28, a 22-year-old woman said she had been jogging around the lake when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to cover her mouth with a rag that smelled like it had been doused in chemicals. However the woman was able to get away and called 911 on her cell phone.
The suspect from that attempted abduction is described as follows:
- Light skinned male
- 18 – 30’s (or someone whose 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)
According to 7News, there was a similar incident at the lake in 2010 when a man chased a woman near the same lake
Police say they have so far been unable to associate a vehicle in either of the incidents.
"Several metro area law enforcement jurisdictions are working other cases of attempted abductions and various vehicle or suspect descriptions have been provided," Westminster Police told the Denver Post.
Police are now asking the community for tips if anyone saw anything suspicious around Ketner Lake Open Space around 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
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