A Denver family woke to the terrifying sound of a stranger climbing their stairs before the father confronted him and forced him back down. Police arrested the suspect shortly after, and the family is grateful the situation ended without serious injuries.

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DENVER, CO (3 minute read) — A quiet school night turned into a frightening ordeal for a north Denver family when they woke up to the sound of a stranger moving inside their home early on November 7. Around 3:30 in the morning, Kevin and Sarah Root were asleep upstairs when unfamiliar footsteps began making their way toward the second floor.

At first, the couple assumed one of their four children was up, but the heavy steps quickly told them something was wrong. Kevin said he immediately sensed the difference, explaining that every parent knows the sound of their children walking around.

Sarah saw a dark figure pass their partially opened bedroom door and felt a sinking fear. The man had reportedly forced his way in by breaking the front door lock. As he approached the staircase, Kevin yelled out in an attempt to alert the intruder that the family was awake and aware, yet the man remained completely silent.

As the stranger continued walking toward the children’s rooms, panic set in. Sarah called 911 while Kevin decided he could not wait any longer. He stepped out of the bedroom and physically shoved the man down the staircase. The intruder tumbled to the bottom, knocking framed pictures from the wall along the way. Kevin recorded video moments later as police arrived and found the suspect lying on the floor.

The man, identified as 36 year old Charley Cooley, eventually cooperated with officers and was taken into custody. Aside from a fall decoration removed from the porch, nothing meaningful was taken from the home. Kevin joked that although their freezer was left open, the intruder ignored the chicken nuggets and waffles.

Family Safety and Situational Awareness

The Roots say they are grateful the encounter ended without anyone being hurt. Their experience is a reminder to families that home security measures like reinforced door frames, motion alert cameras, and alarm systems can provide an important layer of protection. Homeowners who choose to own a firearm for self defense should ensure it is secured yet accessible, and that all adults in the home understand how to safely use it.

Safety Tip: Consider adding door reinforcement hardware and a monitored alarm system to your home. Layers of security reduce the chances of an intruder making it inside and give families more time to react safely.