Man accused in plot to blow up Edmond utilities charged with arson

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Charles Jayden Columbus, 24, after he was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with third-degree arson, court records show.

Columbus was charged with a crime after investigators found “obvious charring on and around” the lock to a city water well hatch in the 900 block of S Bryant Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charge.

A roommate told Edmond police he saw Columbus mix the chemicals and pour them on the “exterior locking mechanism” of a concrete building on the northeast side of Hafer Park investigators identified as a city water well site.

Matthew Laduke said Columbus “tried to burn off the lock on the hatch,” but when the chemical mixture exploded and began to burn, “they ran away, afraid,” according to the affidavit.