Police: Neighbors Evacuated When Claremore Man Threatens To Blow Up Home

Homes in a Claremore neighborhood were evacuated Tuesday evening after a 36-year-old man told police there was natural gas leak in his bathroom and he had a lighter.

Wednesday, October 29th 2014, 12:03 am

By: News On 6

Police: Neighbors Evacuated When Claremore Man Threatens To Blow Up Home

Homes in a Claremore neighborhood were evacuated Tuesday evening after a 36-year-old man told police there was natural gas leak in his bathroom and he had a lighter.

Lieutenant Matt Wild with the Claremore Police Department said officers were serving a search warrant at Christopher Coates's home at about 8:30 p.m. looking for a stolen car and car parts.

Officers said they entered the home near Oklahoma Avenue and 11th Street after no one answered the door.

As officers got inside, they learned Coats had barricaded himself in a bathroom and ripped out a natural gas line with the intent of causing an explosion.

Officers said they exited the home, called the fire department and evacuated about a dozen nearby homes while trying to make contact with Coats.

Police said OG&E was called out to shut down power and gas to the home.

According to reports, Coats then called 911 in an attempt to talk to his wife. Police said they were eventually able to talk with Coats and convince him to surrender to officers.

After he was arrested, OG&E workers checked out the home and determined it was safe. Nearby residents were then allowed to return to their homes.

Police said no one was hurt and nothing blew up.

Coats was booked into the Rogers County jail on several complaints including assault on a police officer. Jail records show he is being held without bond with a court appearance scheduled for November 11, 2014.