JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Three 18-year-olds have been arrested in connection to the rock-throwing crime spree in Jefferson and Boulder counties that killed a 20-year-old woman.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three suspects in a case that has grabbed the attention of many in the metro area as well as nationally.
Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, JCSO said they arrested Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak. The three men are all 18 years old and were taken into custody at their respective parents’ homes in Arvada.
Joseph Koenig was arrested in connection to the deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old Arvada woman. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office) 
Nicholas Karol-Chik was arrested in connection to the deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old Arvada woman. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office) 
Zachary Kwak was arrested in connection to the deadly rock-throwing crime spree that killed a 20-year-old Arvada woman. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
According to Jacki Kelley with JCSO, all three men were seniors. One attended Ralston Valley, another Standley Lake and the third an online school. Investigators do not believe they had any relation to the victims in the crime spree.
All three are suspected of throwing rocks, and all are facing charges of first-degree murder – extreme indifference. Additional charges are expected to be filed at a later date.
Koenig’s father was also arrested on a count of obstruction during the arrest of his son, Kelley said.
JCSO said it is unclear which suspect was driving during the crime spree, but they can confirm they were driving a black 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.
The three suspects were arrested in connection to the rock-throwing crime spree that killed Alexa Bartell on April 19. Bartell, of Arvada, was driving northbound near the 10600 block of Indiana Street. JCSO believes the suspects threw a large rock either from a vehicle or the side of the road at Bartell’s car.
Investigators say the rock hit Bartell, and she was killed.
This was not the first instance of rocks being thrown at cars that night. There was a total of seven victims. Two people sustained minor injuries and many vehicles were damaged.
FOX31 spoke with another victim on Tuesday.
“I have a lot of anger that they would do this. I have a lot of anger that they took somebody’s life,” victim Nathan Tipton said.
JCSO worked with Westminster Police, Arvada Police, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to identify the suspects.
JCSO said that mobile device forensics and support from the public ultimately led them to the suspects. The department said they received 300 tips from the community.
These arrests come on the heels of Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
