Ricky Bailey – termed by police the “Raspy Robber” and accused of a string of holdups of businesses across the metro area two years ago – was convicted by a Denver jury Thursday on five counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery.
In an unusual proceeding immediately following the jury’s verdict, Bailey pleaded guilty to being a habitual criminal because of four prior felony convictions dating back to 1980. In exchange, Denver District Judge Morris Hoffman agreed to drop 21 remaining counts of aggravated and attempted aggravated robbery.
Hoffman set Bailey’s sentencing for Dec. 18. The 49-year-old Bailey faces up to 384 years in prison.
Bailey’s crime spree included armed holdups of a hair salon, liquor stores, restaurants and gas stations in Denver, Lakewood, Englewood and Sheridan during October and November 2004.
He blamed the crimes on his addiction to methamphetamine, which he said caused his voice to sound hoarse. In custody since his arrest two years ago, Bailey’s voice is no longer raspy.
After listening to three days of testimony, the 12-person jury took less than four hours to convict Bailey. Jurors refused to comment after the trial.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Jackson called it “a dang good” verdict.
“What he did was terrorize many small-business owners who were working hard, making an honest living,” he said. “He terrorized customers as well. The streets are a lot safer now.”
“It’s terrifying to be confronted with a gun, even an unloaded BB gun,” he said, referring to a weapon Bailey used. “It doesn’t matter, if it’s represented to be a real gun.”
In three of the robberies, Bailey had an accomplice, Darren McGill, 23, who drove the getaway car. Police found Bailey through the license plate number from McGill’s car.
McGill pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery and received a five-year sentence.
Bailey’s father, Harold E. Bailey, was a member of the Denver Police Department’s infamous 1960s ring of safecrackers and burglars – officers who were convicted of stealing more than $165,000 in 145 break-ins.
The elder Bailey served one year of a five-year sentence in the Cañon City penitentiary.
