Man arrested in Adams County for allegedly attempting to burn his mother alive with gasoline and a lighter, police say

A man was arrested in Adams County after allegedly attempting to burn his mother alive, dousing her clothes with gasoline and threatening her with a lighter, according to the Commerce City Police Department.

Matthew Nicholas, 41, faces felony charges of first-degree assault, second-degree murder, and forceful false imprisonment, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Commerce City Police Department.

According to the affidavit, Nicholas and his mother — 62-year-old Julie Hogue — were out running errands on Dec. 12 when Nicholas threw a cup of gasoline onto his mother, soaking her clothes, before pulling out a lighter and sparking a flame. Nicholas allegedly threatened to light Hogue on fire if she tried to stop the car, get help or run away.

Hogue claimed Nicholas was angry because she had sold her restaurant and was going to sell her house, leaving Nicholas without a job or place to stay, the affidavit stated. Hogue also alleged Nicholas was upset because he felt she had cheated him out of the inheritance money he was supposed to receive.

During the car ride, Nicholas also threatened Hogue with electric clippers, threatening to shave her hair if she didn’t answer his questions quickly and truthfully, according to the affidavit.

As Hogue continued driving, she noticed construction workers on the northwest corner of Tower Road and Second Creek Plaza Drive. She drove onto the dirt plot construction site, jumped out of the car and began screaming for help, the affidavit stated.

According to the affidavit, one of the construction workers used a concealed-carry handgun to subdue the two and kept them both on the ground away from each other until police arrived.

Construction workers who spoke to police officers said Nicholas continued to threaten his mother while on the ground, saying she messed with the wrong son and better watch her back when he gets out, the affidavit stated.

Nicholas refused to speak with Commerce City Police, and currently resides in Adams County jail.