Bend man arrested in Thomas McCann House arson

A 37-year-old Bend-area man was arrested Monday on first-degree arson and burglary charges, accused of setting several fires in the basement of the historic Thomas McCann House and taking several items from the home, where he also left some items.

Homeowner Sanjay Dholakia, 48, arrived at the home last Friday morning and found it was full of smoke from several fires that already were out, Lt. Brian Beekman said.

After police processed the home for evidence, the homeowners returned and found items inside that did not belong to them. Beekman said officers investigated the items, leading them to suspect Wesley Brady.

Police, assisted by Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, arrested Brady on Monday at his home in Deschutes River Woods, the lieutenant said. Items taken from the more than century-old home on NW Congress Street were found on Brady’s property and seized as evidence.

Beekman said Brady, who forced a ground-floor window open to enter the McCann House, had no connection with the homeowners.

Officers took Brady to St. Charles Bend, where he was held for evaluation, Beekman said.