INSIDE A TEXAS MAN'S ALLEGED PLOT TO RIG PRESSURE-ACTIVATED EXPLOSIVES UNDER TOILET SEATS IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS

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Inside a Texas Man’s Alleged Plot to Rig ‘Pressure-Activated’ Explosives Under Toilet Seats in Public Bathrooms

By Nicole Acosta  Published on August 8, 2024 02:02PM EDT

 

A Texas man is accused of rigging “pressure-activated” explosives under toilet seats in public bathrooms, injuring three people, according to multiple news reports citing police.

 

On Aug. 1, Paul Moses Alden, 46, was arrested on a charge of arson resulting in reckless damage/bodily injury, according to online records.

 

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KENS5, Aldens allegedly rigged the toilets at two car washes in the San Antonio area last month with fireworks that are designed to go off when pressure is applied. The alleged plot caused explosions that left three people injured, including one child, the outlet reports, citing the affidavit.

 

The first alleged incident was reported on July 20 at the Wash Tub, a car wash in Helotes, Texas, just outside of San Antonio, police said, per the affidavit cited by KENS5. Authorities claimed they obtained security camera footage showing a man going into a unisex bathroom. Moments later, a woman is seen entering the bathroom, where an explosion occurs, according to the affidavit. The woman was injured but subsequently made a report to police.

 

Less than a week later, a similar incident occurred at another Wash Tub location in San Antonio, leaving two people injured, including a child, police said, KENS5 reports. A man believed to be Aldens was also captured on security footage around the time of the explosion, authorities said.

 

According to WSAZ, police learned that Aldens was a regular customer at the car washes with an active membership.

 

"We are very pleased with the quick action of SAPD and the Arson investigator working this case,” a Wash Tub spokesperson told KENS5. “We will continue to fully cooperate with SAPD and the District Attorney's office."

 

Alden was released the same day he was arrested after posting a $50,000 bond, records show. He’s awaiting indictment, according to the records. PEOPLE couldn’t immediately identify an attorney who could speak on Alden’s behalf.