Home Invasion in Denver: Family’s Terrifying Experience

Kevin Root vividly remembers the night when he heard heavy footsteps approaching the stairs around 3:30 a.m. “As a parent, you know your children’s footsteps. This was definitely not one of them,” he shared about the unsettling incident that took place in their Denver home last month.

The sudden noise startled both Kevin and his wife, Sarah, waking them from sleep. “It’s just alarming to think that someone could invade your space like that and, somehow, they’re still free,” she expressed.

When Sarah noticed a shadow through the slightly open door, she described the feeling as “a deep sinking sensation.” Reports indicated that the intruder had managed to break the lock on their front door and was making his way upstairs.

Kevin recalled his reaction, saying, “I heard him coming and shouted, ‘Who is this?’ I just screamed, hoping to alert him that I was aware of his presence. That woke us up.” The couple noted that the stranger maintained silence as he approached the children’s room.

“It’s every mother’s worst nightmare,” Sarah said, adding how frightening the situation was. Kevin was concerned about whether the intruder might be armed, but realized he had to act. “At some point, you realize, ‘I’m a husband and a father. I need to protect my family.’”

In an impulsive moment, Kevin recalled, “It felt like, ‘This is my moment.’” While Sarah called 911 from their bedroom, he rushed out, confronting the intruder and pushing him down the stairs.

The resulting chaos left the intruder at the bottom of the stairs, having knocked over several photos and creating a dent in the wall. When police arrived, they found the man sprawled on the floor. He was taken into custody without further incident. Curiously, he had no significant possessions, just some fall decorations from the balcony.

“I’m relieved that we’re all safe,” Sarah said while reflecting on the event. The intruder, identified as 36-year-old Charlie Cooley, faces felony charges for second-degree robbery. Records reveal he had previously been arrested for another felony in September.

After learning of Cooley’s criminal background, Sarah expressed her frustrations about the justice system: “It’s really unsettling that someone can repeatedly commit crimes and still be out on the streets.”

To make matters worse, the Denver District Attorney’s Office confirmed a judge set Cooley’s bail at just $5,000. Reports indicated that he quickly posted the bail amount.

Kevin shared his disbelief, saying, “He has a history of these actions and now he’s back out again.” Sarah hoped for justice, stating, “I just wish he could be confined somewhere he won’t harm anyone else.”