Boulder PD Arrest Suspect In As Many As 100 Burglaries

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Boulder suspect that one man is responsible for between 50 to 100 burglaries in the University Hill neighborhood. Detectives said he makes himself right at home.

Daniel Stewart Cooper was arrested Sept. 5.

"I think it was just a lucky break that we found him, I was happy to have my laptop back," said burglary victim Dylan John. "There were laptops, some stereos and some food taken from our house."

Police said John and another actually caught him in the act after he took items from their unlocked home.

"He walked right by us right here and we looked back and did a double take," said John.

They saw Cooper, 34, walking the streets of Boulder wearing their stolen backpack and carrying their laptop. Two of the three men confronted him.

"He was trying to say, 'I found this, I found this on the street,'" said John.

They held onto Cooper while a friend ran across the street to a Boulder Police Station for help.

Police found him a short time later hiding in some bushes on University Ave. He fought with police.

Cooper is facing charges of 23 counts of second degree burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon by a previous offender, obstructing a police officer, resisting a police officer and second degree assault on a police officer.

Once in custody, police said Cooper confessed to walking in to dozens of homes through unlocked doors, stealing food and valuables, even showering at one location and cooking an omelet at another.

The burglaries happened between April and September. The boundaries were 9th Street to Broadway and Euclid to Grandview in Boulder.

Fraternities became a regular target where students are relieved to hear about his arrest.

"I'm happy because he's not going to be stealing my stuff," said John. "Plenty of guys got their stuff stolen already."

Police believe Cooper was mainly looking for drugs but would steal electronics and other items from homes if they were available.

Police also believe Cooper committed unlawful sexual contact of an adult woman and several vehicle thefts.

Cooper remains in custody in the Boulder County Jail.

Anyone with information about these burglaries is asked to contact Detective Kristin Weisbach at 303-441-4474. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.