Boulder police have announced they’ve arrested a man in connection with “over 50” burglaries in the University Hill area, police spokeswoman Kim Kobel said.
Daniel Cooper was arrested Sept. 5 after he was spotted with stolen items. He first faced only resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and second-degree assault on a police officer charges, but over 20 counts of burglary have been added.
Cooper only stole from unlocked houses, the police say. Boulder residents are hereby reminded by Boulder Weekly that every front and back door has a lock on it, and most of them work. And in the case of burglaries like those Cooper is accused of, using those locks would decrease your chance of being robbed by infinity percent.
Read the full press release below:
Suspect arrested; linked to more than 50 burglaries in University Hill area
Boulder police have arrested Daniel Stewart Cooper (DOB 11/22/1977) in connection with dozens of burglaries which occurred in the University Hill area between April and September of 2012.
Cooper was arrested on Sept. 5, 2012 after two victims of a residential burglary saw Cooper walking nearby, carrying the victim’s stolen backpack and laptop. The victims contacted police and although Cooper fled, police found him hiding in some bushes on University Avenue. He fought with police and faces charges of Obstructing a Police Officer, Resisting a Police Officer and Second Degree Assault on a Police Officer. (Case numbers: 12-12169 & 12-12174).
Police believe Cooper is responsible for between 50-and-100 burglaries in the area that roughly borders Broadway to 9th Street, and Euclid north to Grandview (University Hill). Cooper was mainly looking for drugs, but would steal electronics and other items from homes if they were available.
Cooper only targeted unlocked residences. In many cases, the doors were not only unlocked but left open, and Cooper would help himself to food, alcohol, clean clothing, a shower and various personal toiletries. In many instances, residents were home and asleep when Cooper entered. In a few cases, residents confronted him during the burglary. Cooper usually pretended to know someone at the home. Those victims allowed him to leave peacefully without contacting police. Cooper repeatedly burglarized several residences where doors had been consistently left unlocked.
Police believe Cooper committed an additional 34 burglaries in Boulder, but those have not been reported to police.
Police also believe Cooper committed Unlawful Sexual Contact of an adult female, and several vehicle thefts.
Daniel Stewart Cooper currently faces the following charges:
·        23 counts of Second Degree Burglary
·        4 counts of Second Degree Assault on a Police Officer
·        1 count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by Previous Offender
·        1 count of Unlawful Sexual Contact
·        1 count of Resisting a Police Officer
·        1 count of Obstructing a Police Officer.
Cooper is being held in the Boulder County Jail. Charges for the vehicle thefts are being processed by the Boulder County District Attorney.
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 http://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.
