Danville police catch man accused of breaking into occupied home, hiding around town for hours

A Walnut Creek man faces burglary, arson and other charges in the wake of allegedly breaking into a Danville home early Sunday morning and then eluding police for nearly nine hours before being arrested in another neighborhood wearing only underwear.

Clayton Mackay, 26, was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility later Sunday with bail set at $350,000, according to the Danville Police Department.

Police Chief Allan Shields credited the multiple tips the department received from the public, as well as the diligent response by the initial home’s occupants, for the arrest that captured the attention of many in that part of town with the high police presence on the ground and the helicopter search from the air. 

The situation began unfolding around 4:30 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 1) when police responded to a home on Alexander Lane on a report of a stranger entering the residence to steal property. The caller said the unknown man “was armed with a knife and was confronting her husband at the time of the call,” police said. 

The burglar ultimately fled from the house but arriving officers spotted him running from a neighboring yard, police said. Supporting law enforcement agencies and a police K-9 unit aided in the pursuit, with the man last being seen near the Livery Shopping Center parking lot on San Ramon Valley Boulevard at 4:40 a.m. 

Authorities could not catch the culprit in the morning despite the initial efforts, police said. The search continued into the daytime on Sunday, and investigators developed information identifying Mackay as their prime suspect. 

Danville PD put out a public call for assistance via Nixle alert and social media, which reportedly generated multiple tips. 

“Throughout the day, residents reported several sightings of Mackay near the Las Trampas Trail, prompting several deployments of Danville officers and the establishment of perimeters to apprehend him,” police said. “The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s STARR helicopter spent hours searching and ultimately spotted Mackay, guiding officers to his location.”

Police said that with the help of sheriff’s deputies, Mackay was arrested in the 100 block of Camino Encanto at 1:49 p.m. Sunday. Shields confirmed to DanvilleSanRamon that Mackay was wearing nothing but underwear when he was handcuffed – as depicted in photos circulating from the arrest scene, such as those published by News24/680. 

Mackay was booked into the county jail on suspicion of burglary, arson of property, unlawfully causing a fire, attempted auto theft, battery on an officer, threatening an officer, resisting arrest and petty theft, according to police. 

The department encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact Lt. Heather Transue at 925-314-3702 or htransue@danville.ca.gov.

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