This prank is terrible.
A Texas man is accused of hiding explosive devices under toilet seats at two local car washes, causing explosions that injured two women and a girl, police said.
According to an arrest affidavit, Paul Moses Alden, 46, is accused of setting off small commercial fireworks, which explode when pressure is applied, in three separate restrooms in the San Antonio area, waiting for the explosions to occur and then leaving. Acquired by KENS 5.
Police said the first explosion was reported on July 20 at Washtub, a car wash on Bandera Road in Alden’s hometown of Helotes, a San Antonio suburb.
Investigators said in the affidavit that Alden was captured on security cameras entering and exiting the unisex restroom, and shortly afterwards a small explosion occurred as a woman was entering the restroom.
The woman sustained minor injuries but left the store before police were called.
Six days later, two more victims were injured at another washtub location near Loop 1604 and Highway 281 in San Antonio.
Police said a female employee squatting in the toilet was injured in the explosion, and a girl suffered the same horrific experience in another toilet minutes later.
Police recovered physical evidence of small fireworks at both scenes.
In both attacks, Alden was captured on security cameras entering and exiting the bathroom, then sitting motionless in the lobby with his eyes on the bathroom door, waiting for his victims to come in.
He then walked away after the fireworks exploded, the video showed.
The suspect was easily identified by a car wash employee who said Alden was a regular customer with a membership card, and who also had video of Alden’s car and license plate.
“We are very pleased with the swift action taken by SAPD and the arson investigators working this case,” a Wash Tub spokesperson told KENS 5. “We will continue to cooperate fully with SAPD and the District Attorney’s Office.”
Alden was charged with negligent assault by fire or battery and his bail was set at $50,000 and he was released on the day of his arrest.
He is currently awaiting charges, according to court records, and police and fire officials said the incident remains under investigation.
