JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — At least six vehicles have been struck by rocks that were thrown from another moving vehicle in Jefferson County in recent weeks.
The sheriff's office said Friday that they're looking into six incidents between July 19 and Aug. 4. They occured primarily in the late evening and early morning hours in a southern area of incorporated Jefferson County.
In each case, the vehicle was damaged after a rock was thrown from another vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction, the sheriff's office said. While all of the vehicles were damaged, no injuries were reported.
In one instance, a rock struck the hood of a car, bounced into the windshield, and shattered it. In the other cases, the hoods, grills, and sides of the vehicles were damaged.
The suspect's vehicle is described as a smaller, four-door sedan, though the color reported has varied, according to the sheriff's office.
The incidents occurred along the following roadways:
- West Quincy Avenue
- West Belleview Avennue
- West Peakview Avenue
- West Bowles Avenue
- West Coalmine Avenue
The sheriff’s office said they've increased patrols in those areas to help locate those responsible.
"Whoever is doing this for their kicks, they're facing felony charges," said Mark Techmeyer, director of public affairs for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Some victims did not report the incidents immediately, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone who has experienced a similar incident and has not yet reported it, to call their non-emergency dispatch line at 303-271-0211.
Anyone with information about those responsible can call the tip line at 303-271-5612. Callers may remain anonymous.
The incident happened in the same county where a similar incident in April 2023 resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell. Multiple other people had their vehicles damaged in those incidents. Three teens were eventually arrested - two have pleaded guilty.
There is one notable difference between the two cases. Investigators said Bartell was killed by a large, landscaping rock. The most recent rocks thrown south of Highway 285 seem to be much smaller and have yet to be located.
"It's been absolute disbelief. When it happened we're all like — are you kidding me? Here we are again," Techmeyer said.
"The murder of Alexa Bartell through this type of activity was horrific. And it had an effect on this agency and everyone involved in that investigation. And we're certainly disturbed when we see this type of activity begin."
Techmeyer said that even though the weapon being thrown is smaller, it's still the same activity.
"Someone could lose their life for someone doing a prank," he said. "We got to find them and we've got to stop them."