A 17-year-old Westminster boy was arrested Tuesday for the murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway.

Austin Sigg, an Arapahoe Community College student, will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and a second-degree kidnapping charge, among others and was scheduled for his first court appearance Thursday, Oct. 25, in Jefferson County.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said after working non-stop on the case since her disappearance on Oct. 5, he believes a significant step was made in bringing justice to Ridgeway.

“I would like to thank the community for the thousands of tips they have provided us in this case,” he said. “Those tips have been instrumental in the case. And I would also like to thank the community for the tremendous public outpouring of support.”

The Ridgeway family was notified of the arrest Wednesday morning. Birk said he hopes the arrest can bring some comfort to the family and the community.

Investigator Trevor Materasso said Sigg will also be charged for the attempted abduction of a young woman on May 28, who was jogging around Ketner Lake in Westminster. Police confirmed a direct link between the two cases on Monday.

According to the arrest report, Sigg lives at 10622 W. 102nd Ave. in Westminster, about a mile-and-a half from Ridgeway’s home, near West 107th Avenue and Moore Street.

Ridgeway was last seen by her mother around 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, walking down the driveway of her home. Her body was found days later in the Pattridge Park Open Space area in Arvada.

“Police are blocking access to Sigg’s home and a search warrant has been issued,” Materasso said.

Police encourage the community call the tip line with any information that could be connected to the case. 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.