December 7, 2021
Ofc. Kent Keller, PIO
Greeley Police Department
(970) 351-5387, Desk
[email protected]
On Monday, December 6, 2021, at 10:35 a.m., the Greeley Fire responded to a trash can fire in the 2400 block of 25th Avenue. They requested the assistance of the Greeley Police Department after discovering multiple fires en route to the original call.
Greeley Police officers responded and began a large-scale arson investigation. After speaking with several witnesses and reviewing security footage, they identified a suspect. That suspect was contacted a short time later in the area and identified as Barry Bledsoe, 37.
The investigation revealed that Bledsoe lit at least seven fires, with many of them being directly next to occupied homes, damaged an air conditioning unit, and then turned off the power to a 24-unit apartment complex in the area. Thankfully, there were no injuries and no major damage as the fires were located and extinguished quickly. However, Bledsoe did cause an estimated $20,000 in total damage.
Bledsoe was arrested and transported to a local hospital after complaining of a medical issue. While at the hospital, Bledsoe then assaulted a nurse attempting to help him. Bledsoe was eventually cleared from the hospital and transported to the Weld County Jail where he was charged with the following:
• 1st Degree Arson, a Class 3 Felony – x3
• 2nd Degree Arson, a Class 4 Felony – x5
• 2nd Degree Burglary, a Class 4 Felony
• 2nd Degree Assault on Medical Personnel, a Class 4 Felony
• Attempted 2nd Degree Arson, a Class 5 Felony
• 4th Degree Arson, a Class 3 Misdemeanor
• Criminal Mischief, a Class 3 Misdemeanor
• 1st Degree Criminal Tampering, a Class 1 Misdemeanor – x24
We would like to recognize our partners at the Greeley Fire Department who assisted us in locating Bledsoe while extinguishing the fires.
No additional information will be released today.
If you have any information on this case and have not been interviewed by officers, please contact the Greeley Police Department front desk at 970-350-9605.