Local briefs

Christopher Keyworth, 35, was arrested at home his Belmont home today after allegedly throwing the device Wednesday "in an obvious attempt to start a fire," and leaving the scene, the San Mateo police report.

Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful, police say. The residence in the 4000 block of Branson Drive was not damaged and no one was injured.

Keyworth was booked in the San Mateo County jail on charges of attempted arson and possession of a destructive device.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the San Mateo Police Department at 522-7676.

Man dies outside employment center

A man found dead in a car outside of a county employment office in San Carlos appears to have died of natural causes, the San Mateo County Coroner's office said yesterday.

The dead man's name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, said Chief Deputy Coroner Tom Marriscolo.

The man's body was found early yesterday morning by a male friend, who had let the man spend the night in his car, said Maureen Davidson at the county Human Services Agency.

The agency helps run Peninsula Works, where the parked car was found at 550 Quarry Road. Peninsula Works is a community and county run program that provides computer access and other help to Peninsula job seekers.

The Human Services Agency was familiar with the dead man through several programs, Davidson said.

The deceased was a former client of the county's General Assistance Program. Earlier this year, a county social worker assisted the man in receiving a veteran's pension, with an initial lump-sum payment. "He was not without resources," Davidson said.

The social worker also helped the man obtain rental housing. However, he later lost that housing due to ongoing struggles with substance abuse, Davidson said.

While San Mateo County shelters were at capacity Wednesday night, no one who sought shelter would have been turned away without being referred for a hotel voucher. In the past, the man was referred to homeless shelters and has refused such shelter, frequently opting to sleep in his friend's car, according to Davidson.

Although there appears to be no foul play involved, the San Carlos Police Department took the car and is investigating the case, Davidson said.