Andrew McCue

A weekend call for someone beating a utility pole and yelling at himself ended in the arrest of a Butler man.

City police said the suspect, 34-year-old Andrew J. McCue, appeared to be high on drugs Saturday evening when they found him seated in a fetal position at North Cedar and East Brady streets. A search of him also turned up drug contraband.

McCue is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

A 911 caller about 5:20 p.m. first reported seeing a man “beating a utility pole with a yellow object, screaming at himself,” according to police.

They said McCue was still yelling at himself, sitting on the ground, when officers arrived. A police report did not indicate what he was yelling nor did it identify any yellow object.

The defendant was sweating profusely in the cold temperatures. Police said he also showed other signs of suspected drug use. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Police said he was searched and found with a crack pipe with residue, a spoon with white powder residue, several syringes and several empty stamp bags of suspected heroin.

McCue was arraigned on charges Saturday and given a recognizance bond. He's being held in the prison on a probation violation. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 23.