A Greenwood Village man who torched two popular spots at The Shops at Greenwood Village is headed to prison for a decade, closing a tense chapter for local small-business owners who spent months digging out from the damage.
Jerrel Bailey admitted to setting fires inside Fuji Hibachi & Sushi and The Sportsbook Bar & Grill in January 2024, with a neighboring restaurant also hit by smoke and sprinkler water. Firefighters and police said no one was hurt, but the blazes caused heavy damage that kept businesses shuttered for months and rattled other tenants worried about security and how long it would take to bounce back.
According to court documents and reporting by 9NEWS, 30-year-old Bailey pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of arson. On March 31, 2026, a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison, and additional charges were dismissed under a plea agreement.
How the Fires Unfolded
Greenwood Village police and South Metro Fire Rescue raced to the shopping center early on Jan. 26, 2024, after alarms blared and reports of black smoke came in, according to Denver7. Crews found two separate fires burning inside the plaza: one at the sushi restaurant and another at the sports bar.
Investigators reported clear signs of forced entry at both businesses. With flames threatening to spread and multiple units at risk, South Metro escalated the response to a two-alarm fire, pulling in roughly 70 personnel to get the situation under control.
Damage and Delays
The owner of The Sportsbook told CBS News Colorado that the financial toll from damage and lost revenue climbed into the millions. Replacing sprinkler systems, redoing electrical work, and tackling a long list of repairs kept the Greenwood Village location dark for almost a year.
"Just unbelievably frustrating," owner Judson Dymond told the outlet, describing how staff were shuffled between other locations while the damaged unit was slowly rebuilt.
Photos and the arrest affidavit filed in court show a suspect smashing glass and setting fires inside the targeted businesses. Authorities said Bailey used a rock to break in and was taken into custody later that night following a burglary at the nearby Rodizio Grill, according to 9NEWS. Police images in that reporting show a shattered front door and smoke damage inside that investigators used to link him to the crime scenes.
Legal Consequences
Court records show Bailey pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of arson, with other charges dismissed as part of his plea deal. Prosecutors in the 18th Judicial District handled the case, and the 10-year sentence is now reflected in district court records.
What’s Next for the Plaza
Property managers and tenants say the road back has been anything but quick. Rebuilding, inspections, and paperwork have dragged on as permits and code upgrades are required before units can fully reopen, a process detailed in local coverage by Denver7.
Business owners told CBS News Colorado that the financial hit, along with trying to keep staff employed and customers engaged while doors stayed closed, has been the toughest part of recovery.
Officials say the case underscores how long and detailed arson investigations can be, relying on fire forensics, surveillance footage, and traditional police work to lock in a suspect. For now, The Shops at Greenwood Village is slowly coming back to life as restaurants finish repairs, reopen their doors, and work to win back diners who scattered during the long shutdown.
