Paul Moses Alden is accused of hiding small commercial fireworks in toilets and blowing them up when victims sat down (Picture: San Antonio Police Department)
A man allegedly hid explosives in toilets at local businesses and detonated them as two women and a girl sat down.
Paul Moses Alden, 46, booby-trapped restrooms at two car washes and injured the female victims, according to court documents obtained by KENS 5.
Alden was caught on CCTV footage entering a unisex restroom at a Wash Tub on Bandera Road in Helotes, Texas, on July 20, according to an arrest affidavit.
Just moments later when a woman used the toilet, a small explosion occurred. The victim left the scene before a police report was taken down.
The first blast was reported at the Wash Tub car wash on Bandera Road in Helotes outside of San Antonio (Picture: KENS 5)
Six days later, a female worker and a young girl used the restroom at a Wash Tub at Loop 1604 near Highway 281 in San Antonio. The woman said she was hurt while sitting down on the toilet, and the same happened to the girl shortly afterward.
All injuries in the incidents were minor.
Investigators discovered parts from small commercial fireworks that are made to detonate upon applying pressure. A similar setup was found at the Helotes car wash.
At both locations, Alden was recorded on video going inside the restrooms and watching the door from the lobby and then leaving after the explosions.
Alden was a regular customer at the businesses and was identified through hismembership card and license plate and car, according to police.
‘We are very pleased with the quick action of SAPD (San Antonio Police Department) and the Arson investigator working this case,’ a Wash Tub spokesman who did not want to be identified told KENS 5, adding they would continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials and the district attorney’s office.
Alden was arrested and has been charged with arson causing bodily injury or reckless damage.
He was booked into jail with a $50,000 bond and released the same day that he was taken into custody.
As of Wednesday morning, Alden had not been indicted in the crime and his next court date was not yet set.
Helotes is about 18 miles northwest of San Antonio.
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