A man from Texas has been charged with setting up explosive devices in public restrooms, causing injuries to three individuals. The initial incident took place on July 20 at the Wash Tub car wash in Helotes, located approximately thirty minutes northwest of San Antonio.
According to reports, employees recognized the suspect, Alden, as a frequent customer who used a membership card. A woman was sitting on the toilet at the car wash when a small explosion occurred.
Although she sustained injuries, she left the scene before law enforcement was notified, as per KENS-TV.
“The female customer was reportedly very upset and left the location before a report was made,” the affidavit states. “The Helotes Police Department responded to the location to take the report and document the scene.”
Investigators discovered “small, readily available commercial fireworks that are designed to explode when pressure is applied,” according to the outlet.
Six days later, another two individuals were harmed by booby-trapped toilets at a Wash Tub in San Antonio.
A female employee and a young girl fell victim to the explosives within minutes of each other, as stated in the affidavit.
Authorities discovered remnants of small fireworks in the two bathrooms during their investigation.
Citing a probable cause affidavit, Law & Crime reported that a Wash Tub representative said that on both dates “loud bangs were heard in the bathroom by customers using the bathroom/toilet.”
The affidavit stated that a man was captured on security cameras entering and exiting the unisex bathrooms, sitting in the car wash lobbies, monitoring the bathroom door, and leaving after the explosives detonated in all three instances.
On August 1, Paul Moses Alden, aged 46 and from Helotes, was arrested by the police. According to police records, Alden was charged with arson causing reckless damage or bodily injury.
His bail was set at $50,000, and he was released on the same day as his arrest. Court records indicate that Alden is currently awaiting indictment with no scheduled court date for his next hearing.
Employees were reportedly able to identify Alden to the police because he was a “regular customer” who used a membership card. The police also reportedly had video footage of Alden as well as his vehicle and license plate.
A Wash Tub spokesman said, “We are very pleased with the quick action of the San Antonio Police Department and the arson investigator working this case. We will continue to fully cooperate with SAPD and the district attorney’s office.”
Both fire and police departments are still investigating the exploding toilets.
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