35-year-old man arrested for alleged fire at Starbucks

MERCED -- A 35-year-old man was arrested Sunday after Merced police say he started a small fire in a Starbucks bathroom -- and locked himself inside.

Matthew Payne entered the bathroom at the 770 East Yosemite Avenue around 7 a.m. and started a fire with toilet paper and paper towels, according to Sgt. Bobby Chapman.

Police responded to the scene, but Payne had locked the door to the bathroom and would not come out. Officers eventually removed the door from its hinges and took Payne into custody, Chapman said.

Firefighters responded to the scene, although there was no serious damage to the bathroom or the structure of the building.

Chapman said Payne had been recently released from Mercy Medical Center Merced after having an overdose on methamphetamine.

The Starbucks remained open on Sunday.

Payne was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of arson. He's being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

— Victor A. Patton