A routine package delivery turned into a scene of chaos and heroism on Monday afternoon when staff and patients at a Colorado dental office were forced to physically subdue an Amazon driver who allegedly attacked an employee.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Denver resident Michael Coleman, is now facing multiple felony charges, including unlawful sexual contact and second-degree assault, following the incident at Emerald Dental in Lakewood.
The situation unfolded just before 3:10 p.m. According to police and witness accounts, Coleman entered the office to drop off a package but allegedly attempted to sexually assault a staff member. The attack, described by authorities as appearing random, quickly escalated when other employees intervened.
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Dr. Stephanie Paswaters, the dentist and owner of the practice, described the terrifying shift from a quiet workday to a violent struggle.
“I heard screaming. And then I heard, ‘Help,'” Paswaters told CBS News Colorado.
Upon rushing to aid her employee, Paswaters found the staff member being attacked. In a desperate bid to stop the violence, the doctor—along with other staff members and patients who happened to be in the office—jumped into the fray. The group managed to tackle Coleman and pin him to the floor, holding him there until Lakewood police arrived to make the arrest. One person was left seriously injured during the struggle.
While the immediate threat ended with Coleman’s arrest, the incident has left the victims questioning the safety protocols of third-party delivery services.
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“How could they let this happen? Did they do a background check?” Paswaters asked in a statement following the ordeal.
Amazon has since responded to the incident, with a spokesperson calling the allegations “scary.” The company confirmed that Coleman was employed by a third-party contractor and stated he is “no longer delivering packages to Amazon customers.” The company has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Coleman remains in custody.
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