AKRON, Ohio -- A 38-year-old Akron man is facing aggravated arson and domestic violence charges after he set his family's home on fire, and kicked his stepfather in the face and threw rocks at his mother as they tried to escape the blaze, police said.

James Noesler, of Shaker Drive also set fire to his stepfather's two vehicles, according to police reports. Police said he is also known as "James Noesner."

Noesler was indicted May 31 on four counts each of arson and domestic violence, and two counts each of aggravated arson and resisting arrest, Summit County court records show. He remains in the Summit County Jail.

There is no record of Noesler appearing in court and no hearing is scheduled, a court clerk said Thursday morning.

Noesler was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a history of drug abuse that includes using bath salts, Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

Noesler told police he set the house on fire because it was old and someone tortured his cat to death, according to reports. Police never found a cat.

Noesler's mother, 58-year-old Kathleen Sullivan, told police she was awakened by her husband Richard Sullivan, 57, screaming that the house was on fire. The fire started sometime after 1 a.m. May 30 in the 100 block of Shaker Drive.

When the couple ran out of the house, Noesler threw rocks at his mother. Noesler kicked his stepfather, who was recovering from a broken leg, knocked him to the ground and kicked him in the face, police said.

Kathleen Sullivan ran to a neighbor's house for help. She and the neighbor were able to get Noesler off Richard Sullivan, and run across the street.

Noesler then asked for the keys to the vehicles. When the couple refused, Noesler broke out the windows, poured gasoline inside and lit a Ford Ranger and Chevy Cruz on fire, police said.

The basement of the home and both vehicles were on fire when police and firefighters arrived about 1:30 a.m.

Damage estimates total $50,000, according to an Akron fire report.

Officers arrested Noesler after a short foot chase.

Paramedics treated Kathleen and Richard Sullivan at the scene.

Kathleen Sullivan reported Noesler missing about 11:50 p.m. May 26, four days before the fire. She told police her son had left home around 10 a.m. that morning with his cat and she was worried about him. Noesler returned home at 9 a.m. May 27.

Noesler was arrested in May 2012 after he punched an emergency medical technician in the face, Edwards said.

Kathleen Sullivan was trying to take him to the hospital because he was on bath salts and was paranoid, police said. When they arrived at the hospital, Noesler tried to run and Sullivan called out to hospital staff for help. That's when he punched an EMT, according to police reports.

If you wish to discuss or comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.

Like Chanda Neely on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter: