Deputies: Man Holds Ex-wife Hostage, Burns House

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

TECUMSEH, Oklahoma - A man is in custody after taking two hostages, burning down a house and starting a standoff with authorities in Tecumseh, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's deputies said.

Charles Wilson, an ex-convict, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, a day after deputies said he vowed to kill his ex-wife.

Armed with a gun, Wilson busted down the door of the house where his wife was staying and took her hostage, deputies said.

His wife was able to escape, and Wilson returned to the house and burned it to the ground, deputies said.

Deputies said Wilson then took another person hostage and let him go before holding up in a salvage yard near Tecumseh.  A standoff ensued and ended shortly after noon Wednesday when Wilson was arrested in a wooded area not far from the salvage yard.

When he surrendered to police, he was already wearing handcuffs.

Wednesday afternoon the District Attorney's Drug Task Force dismantled what they said was a meth lab in Wilson's home. The DA is expected to file charges against Charlie Wilson later this week.

Department of Corrections records show that Wilson was sentenced to two years in prison in 1995 for concealing stolen property.