A Mechanicsville man was arrested Saturday on charges including making an arson threat and reckless endangerment, with court papers stating the suspect admitted telling his grandmother he would burn down her house, and that he got a gas can and poured some on her concrete steps.

A judge ordered Monday that Brian Robert Flynn II, 26, remain in custody at the St. Mary’s jail in lieu of 10 percent of $7,500 bond.

Helen Mae Guthrie told police that she left her home off North Sandgates Road to get away from the suspect after an argument over his drug use, court papers state, and law officers smelled a strong odor of gasoline in front of the residence.

Flynn also was charged with the possession of drug paraphernalia, including a hypodermic needle and two burnt metal spoons, and the possession of Opana, a narcotic pain reliever, through the investigation by St. Mary’s sheriff’s deputy Patrick Bowen.

JOHN WHARTON