Hercules Man in Custody After He Allegedly Tried to Set His Grandma’s House on Fire
HERCULES, CA — Drew McCarthy, 28, of Hercules, allegedly beat his grandma’s car with a guitar and
next tried to set her house on fire. McCarthy who was arrested on October 18 remains in custody on a
probation hold ineligible for release on bond.
McCarthy exhibited severe emotional distress and behavioral crisis, when Hercules police responded
to the house on the 200 block of Pepperwood Street. Officers reportedly saw him hitting the car with
the guitar, before he barricaded himself inside the house.
“Officers found the elderly homeowner in the front yard, and quickly escorted her to safety,” Hercules
police said in a prepared statement. “When flames suddenly erupted inside the residence, officers
forced entry and began searching rooms.”
McCarthy was found standing behind a small fire, uncooperative and threatening to harm himself. One
officer deployed a taser to subdue him, while another officer used a fire extinguisher to knock down
the flames.
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) firefighters extinguished remaining hotspots,
and cleared smoke from the house. Fire damage was limited, and the house declared safe for the
grandmother to return home. Her car was dented and scratched, but the guitar was destroyed, with
fractures and cracks.
McCarthy was first transported to Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center for evaluation, before
he was taken to jail. He was booked for arson, vandalism, elder abuse, resisting arrest, and probation
violation charges.
– by Jim Emerson
