Hercules Police Department

10/22/2026

Community Update: Officers Act Swiftly to Save Life and Property During Dangerous Barricade and Fire

On the morning of Sunday, October 18, 2026, Hercules Police Officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Pepperwood after a report that a 28-year-old man identified as Drew McCarthy was vandalizing his grandmother’s vehicle with a guitar. Officers have prior contacts with McCarthy who is currently on active felony probation in Contra Costa County for evasion.

Upon arrival, Officers found the elderly homeowner in the front yard and quickly escorted her to safety as McCarthy barricaded himself inside the residence and threatened to destroy the home. As the danger grew, Officers worked patiently to open a line of communication through a telephone and talk him down peacefully.

When flames suddenly erupted inside the residence, Officers immediately forced entry into the home as it filled with fire and smoke and began searching rooms. Officers found McCarthy, who was threatening to harm himself, behind the growing flames. Officers pleaded with McCarthy to let them help him and he continued to refuse.

An Officer deployed a taser while another Officer quickly extinguished the rapidly growing fire. McCarthy was safely taken into custody and was taken to the Contra Costa County Medical center in Martinez for a precautionary medical evaluation. Once he was medically cleared, McCarthy was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for multiple felony counts including arson, vandalism, elder abuse, resisting arrest, and probation violation.

Once the home was determined to be safe by the Contra Costa County Fire District, the homeowner was able to return to her home.

These Officers relied on their training and experience, demonstrated patience, composure, and decisiveness while dealing with an extremely difficult situation. Ultimately, they were able to bring this situation to a safe conclusion where no one was seriously injured.

10/19/2026

On behalf of the Hercules Police Department, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for our Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Starbucks located at 842 Willow Ave, in Hercules. The conversations, questions, and friendly faces reminded us why building relationships with the people we serve matters so much. We are especially grateful to the staff at Starbucks for their generous hospitality and helping create a welcoming space for our officers and community members to connect. Your support strengthens the trust and partnership that keep our community safe, and we look forward to seeing you all at our next gathering.

10/14/2026

🐾 PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE: MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING

The Hercules Police Department is reminding residents to remain alert following confirmed sightings in the neighborhood off of Hercules Avenue. Mountain lions are native to California, and while encounters are uncommon, taking precautions can help keep you, your family, and your pets safe.

🐾 Mountain Lion Safety Tips

Keep your distance. Never approach, follow, or attempt to photograph a mountain lion at close range.

Do not run. If you encounter a mountain lion, remain calm, face the animal, stand tall, and make yourself appear larger.

Make noise and stand your ground. Speak firmly, raise your arms, and slowly back away while giving the animal an escape route.

Protect children. Keep children close and pick up small children without bending down, if possible.

Keep pets safe. Keep dogs on a leash, bring pets indoors at night, and do not leave them unattended outside.

Secure your property. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and consider bringing in bird feeders that may attract wildlife.

Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Avoid walking or jogging alone in areas with dense vegetation during these hours.

🚨 If a Mountain Lion Approaches You
Do not turn your back or crouch down. Make yourself appear larger, speak loudly, and throw objects if necessary to discourage the animal. If attacked, fight back—do not play dead.

📞 See a Mountain Lion?
Please report sightings or concerns to the Hercules Police Department non-emergency line at 510-799-1111.

If a mountain lion poses an immediate threat to a person or there is an emergency, call 911.

We appreciate our community’s help in keeping Hercules safe. Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors, and remember to observe wildlife from a safe distance.

Hercules Police Department — Serving and Protecting Our Community.

10/10/2026

MEDIA RELEASE | SCHOOL THREAT INVESTIGATION

Earlier today, school staff received a phone call from a blocked number threatening potential violence toward school administrators and teachers. Hercules officers were immediately notified and responded to investigate. As a precaution, the school was placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Upon arrival, officers confirmed that students and staff were secured. With assistance from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department and a Hercules drone operator, officers conducted a comprehensive safety sweep of both the high school and middle school campuses.

Following a thorough search, both campuses were determined to be safe, and no active threat was located. The lockdown was lifted, and normal school operations resumed.

Additional Hercules officers responded to provide an increased law enforcement presence and additional security throughout the remainder of the school day. School administrators coordinated all student dismissal procedures.

The incident remains under active investigation, and officers are following up on potential leads to identify the individual/or individuals responsible for the threatening phone call.

A Message to Parents and Guardians

We understand how concerning situations like these can be, especially when the safety of your children is involved. We appreciate the concern and care shown by our community.

During emergency situations, we kindly ask parents and guardians to follow instructions from law enforcement and school officials, keep school entrances and surrounding roadways clear, and avoid gathering near areas where emergency personnel are responding. These precautions help ensure first responders can safely and efficiently access the campus while keeping everyone out of potential harm’s way.

For additional school updates please refer to the school’s ParentSquare app.

10/05/2026

09/24/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUDULENT FTC PAYMENT DEMANDS 🚨
The Hercules Police Department is reminding our senior residents to remain vigilant against scams targeting older adults.

⚠️ Scammers are impersonating government officials and claiming that individuals owe money to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These criminals may threaten arrest, legal action, or financial penalties unless immediate payment is made.

🚩 Know the Warning Signs:
🔹 Someone claims you owe money to the FTC and demands immediate payment.
🔹 You are threatened with arrest or legal consequences if you do not pay.
🔹 You are instructed to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.
🔹 Someone requests your banking information, Social Security number, or other personal information.
🔹 You are told to keep the situation secret from family members or friends.
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself:
✅ The FTC does not demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
✅ Never provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
✅ If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up or delete the message.
✅ Verify any claims independently using official government contact information.
✅ Talk to a trusted family member or friend if you are unsure whether a request is legitimate.
📢 Remember: Scammers often use fear and urgency to pressure you into sending money. Take your time, ask questions, and verify before you act.

09/17/2026

The Hercules Police Department has heard community concerns regarding smoking and other illicit activities along the Bayfront Boulevard area.

Officers have begun conducting periodic enforcement in the area to curtail this behavior and help keep Bayfront Boulevard a safe and enjoyable space for residents and visitors.

Thank you to our community for continuing to look out for one another. Your tips and reports help our officers respond effectively.

To report prohibited or suspicious activity, please call the non-emergency line at (510) 724-1111. For an emergency, dial 911.

09/17/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE — DYLAN APARTMENT COMPLEX

Hercules Police Department officers recently assisted the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office with the arrest of two wanted suspects.

Upon locating the suspects in a vehicle at the Dylan Apartment Complex, officers observed that both suspects were asleep and that one had a pistol resting on his lap.

Recognizing the potential for a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation, officers developed and implemented a tactical plan centered on time, distance, communication, and de-escalation. Through patience, coordination, and sound police tactics, the situation was resolved safely, and both suspects were taken into custody without further incident.

This operation was a strong example of the importance of interagency cooperation and teamwork. We extend our sincere appreciation to our allied agency partners who assisted:

🐕 Vallejo Police Department — K-9
👮 Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office
🛡️ San Pablo Police Department — SWAT
👮 Pinole Police Department
👮 Pittsburg Police Department

The hard work, professionalism, and dedication of frontline law enforcement officers can never be overstated. Kudos to every officer and deputy who worked together to bring this incident to a safe resolution.

09/17/2026

Secure Their Future with the Proper Car Seat

Hercules, Calif. – During Child Passenger Safety Week, The Hercules Police Department encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 21-27 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of car seat safety and proper installation.

“When it comes to protecting our youngest passengers, there is no room for guesswork,” Hercules Police Commander Collard said. “Child Passenger Safety Week is a good reminder of how critical it is to choose the right car seat and ensure it is installed properly.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.

Current California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years old are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat. Children 8 and older, or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

As of January 1, 2027, AB 435 requires children ages 8 to 16 years old to pass all steps of the “Five-Step Test”` before they can safely use a seat belt without a booster seat. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the Five-Step Test as a guide, before it becomes law in 2027, to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.

09/16/2026

The Hercules Police Department has heard community concerns regarding smoking and other illicit activities along the Bayfront Boulevard area.

Officers have begun conducting periodic enforcement in the area to curtail this behavior and help keep Bayfront Boulevard a safe and enjoyable space for residents and visitors.

Thank you to our community for continuing to look out for one another. Your tips and reports help our officers respond effectively.

To report prohibited or suspicious activity, please call the non-emergency line at (510) 724-1111