Shotgun-wielding man seizes veterinary clinic

News9.com

ARAPAHO, OKLA. - A shotgun-wielding man was arrested after allegedly holding hostages at a veterinary clinic Wednesday.

Matthew Thomas Bell, 25, was jailed on complaints of kidnapping and burglary, authorities said.

An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman said Bell broke into the vet clinic about 4 a.m. and waited for the staff to arrive. He then held them hostage and demanded money from them.

Custer County Sheriff Kenneth Tidwell said Bell held at least eight people at gunpoint before fleeing in a stolen pickup truck. No injuries were reported.

About 9:50 a.m., an Oklahoma Highway Patrol air search spotted the truck ablaze in a field east of Arapaho.  Tidwell said Bell was arrested after searchers found him in a nearby creek bed.

KWEY contributed to this story.