Vengeance A Possible Motive In Home Invasion That Landed Homeowner In Jail
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - Authorities arrested a suspect in a home invasion after a break-in Tuesday morning in Littleton and also charged the homeowner who was hurt. Investigators say vengeance may have motived the attack.
The first scene, in the 6900 block of South Newland Court at West Portland Avenue, is the home that was broken into. It was around 3:30 a.m. when the couple living there heard someone in their home.
The husband went downstairs to check and sure enough there was a man, later identified as Colton Roley, 24, inside. The two got into a brawl and Roley fired a weapon, according to investigators. The homeowner, Tyler Derouin, 27, was taken to Littleton Adventist Hospital with injuries sustained in the fight.
After the altercation, Roley fled. The homeowners said they recognized the suspect as someone they knew and were able to find an address for the person. That's where officers searched for Roley at his home in the 6800 block of South Elati Street. That is the second scene in the investigation.
Dogs and multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Colorado State Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Littleton Police Department, were on scene searching for Roley.
Roley was taken into custody at 10 a.m. and treated at the hospital for a minor injury. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, assault and illegal discharge of a firearm in an occupied residence.
Investigators interviewed a woman who lived in the house on Newland Court with Derouin and his wife, and say they learned the woman had gone to Roley, her ex-boyfriend, early Tuesday morning to tell him Derouin had just sexually assaulted her.
Investigators believe that information motivated Roley to attack Derouin. Derouin was also interviewed by law enforcement and taken into custody on suspicion of sexual assault.
People who live in the neighborhood are shaken by the events.
"Keep an extra eye open. This has always, like I said, been a really quiet neighborhood. A lot of older folks live here so this is really going to change our perspective," said neighbor Chris McCasky.
On Elati Street a woman who says she has known Roley for most of his life and did not want to be identified told CBS4 Roley has "a good heart," and she could understand someone becoming that upset after hearing a person they care about has been hurt.
"He's a sweet kid, always has been a sweet kid," she said. "It's just tragic. One mistake can change your life."
Both Roley and Derouin are being held at the Jefferson County Detention Facility. They are due to make their first appearances before a judge on Wednesday.
Lauren DiSpirito reports for CBS4 News at 10 p.m. She covers breaking news and feature stories along Colorado's Front Range. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.
