Berkeley police: Man tried to set woman, RV on fire on Harrison

A man who poured gasoline on a woman and her RV while holding a lit cigarette has been charged with two felonies, according to court papers.

Berkeley police said the man and woman "were previously in a dating relationship" and have a child in common.

The woman told police she had been staying in an RV on Harrison Street in northwest Berkeley when Dicarlo Scott Sr. showed up and "began pouring gasoline on the exterior of the vehicle," according to charging papers.

When the woman went outside to confront Scott, police wrote, "he poured gasoline on her while holding a lit cigarette."

A woman in the area who believed Scott was going to set the victim on fire then "turned a dog loose on Scott," who fled the scene in a vehicle, police said.

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The incident happened Sept. 27, 2023, according to charging papers. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Scott two days later.

Scott, who is now 38 and lives in Richmond, was arrested on the warrant on June 2 in Contra Costa County, according to court papers and police.

When Berkeley investigators interviewed Scott on June 5, "He eventually admitted to spilling gasoline on the ground and on the victim as he shook a gas can in anger," BPD wrote. "He denied intending to ignite it or hurt the victim."

Dicarlo Scott Sr. BPD

Last week, the Alameda County DA's office charged Scott with attempted assault with caustic chemicals and attempted arson of an inhabited structure, both felonies, according to charging papers.

He entered a not-guilty plea in the case.

Authorities issued a criminal protective order requiring Scott to stay away from the victim.

His defense attorney requested OR release (on his own recognizance), but the prosecutor opposed the request and Judge Elena Condes denied the defense motion.

Scott's bail was set at $125,000 and he remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail as of this week, according to online records.

He is set for a preliminary hearing later this month, where a judge will decide if there is enough evidence in the case for it to proceed to trial.

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