Background: News footage of the Emerald Dental office in Lakewood, Colo. (KDVR). Inset: Michael Dewey Coleman (Lakewood Police Department).
A dramatic incident unfolded at a dental office in Colorado when an Amazon delivery driver, identified as Michael Dewey Coleman, allegedly assaulted a receptionist. Quick-thinking employees and patients subdued Coleman before police could arrive.
Coleman, 31, is now in custody at the Jefferson County Jail following his arrest by the Lakewood Police Department on Monday. The alleged attack occurred when Coleman delivered a package to Emerald Dental in Lakewood, Colorado, around 3 p.m. Rather than simply making the delivery, Coleman reportedly approached the 21-year-old receptionist, grabbing her face with both hands in an attempt to kiss her, according to an arrest affidavit cited by local ABC affiliate KMGH.
The receptionist defended herself by blocking her face with her hands and hitting Coleman. Undeterred, he allegedly lifted her by her clothing, pulling her from her chair and exposing her. Witnesses claimed he attempted to violate her further by tearing at her clothes and grabbing her buttocks.
After the receptionist managed to get back on the ground, she kicked Coleman, who then allegedly retaliated by punching her in the face, resulting in a broken nose. She reported to police that Coleman struck her multiple times.
The affidavit revealed that a patient waiting in a nearby exam room heard the commotion and rushed to help. He reported seeing Coleman, dressed in a blue Amazon vest, pulling at the receptionist’s dress. The patient tried to intervene and was punched by Coleman. A male dental hygienist also stepped in, and together, they tackled Coleman, restraining him until police arrived.
When officers reached the scene, Coleman reportedly appeared to be in an “altered state of mind.” The affidavit noted that he was “growling, sweating,” and confused about his location, believing he was in Texas. However, he later regained coherence and recognized his surroundings.
In an interview with local Fox affiliate KDVR, Dr. Stephanie Paswaters, the owner of the dental practice, said that she was one of the staff members who witnessed the aftermath of the alleged attack. She told KDVR, “I came around the corner as the screams escalated. I heard one person screaming, and it sounded like bloody murder, and the other person screaming, ‘Help, somebody, come help!’ It was my two front desk employees, [and] one was being attacked by a driver with an Amazon shirt on.”
Paswaters told KDVR that her patients and staff were so traumatized by the incident that she closed the practice for a few days. The woman allegedly attacked by Coleman suffered a broken nose and two black eyes. Police also believe she was strangled.
A spokesperson from Amazon told both KMGH and KDVR that Coleman had been delivering Amazon packages through a third-party service, but was “no longer delivering packages to Amazon customers.” Amazon said it was fully cooperating with authorities investigating.
Coleman was charged with sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, two counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and harassment. He is currently in custody at the Jefferson County Jail, where he is being held on $50,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 22.
