Texas man allegedly hid explosives underneath toilets at local businesses that detonated when victims sat down
A string of small explosions in car-wash restrooms around San Antonio led to the arrest of a Texas man accused of rigging toilet seats to detonate when customers sat down. Two women and a young girl suffered minor injuries in the incidents, according to police.
Helotes resident Paul Moses Alden, 46, was arrested on August 1, 2024 and charged with one count of arson causing reckless damage to a building or causing bodily injury or death. Investigators allege that Alden hid small commercial “snap” or “snap-pop” novelty fireworks—the type designed to pop under pressure—beneath toilet seats at three Wash Tub car-wash visits in the area, then lingered nearby to watch what happened.
The first reported incident occurred July 20, 2024 at the Wash Tub on Bandera Road in Helotes, just outside San Antonio. According to the arrest affidavit, a man was captured on security camera entering a unisex restroom, and moments later, when a woman went to use the facilities, a small explosion went off. The woman was slightly injured but left the business before police were called.
A similar series of blasts followed roughly six days later at a Wash Tub location on North Loop 1604 in San Antonio. The affidavit describes two loud “bangs” heard from the bathroom at separate moments while an employee and a child were using the restroom; the employee reported pain and a minor burn, and a young girl was hurt as well. Investigators said the physical evidence left behind at the scenes—debris consistent with the same type of novelty fireworks—matched across the locations.
Security-camera footage cited in the affidavit reportedly showed a methodical pattern: the suspect entering and leaving the restroom, then sitting in the lobby with his attention fixed on the bathroom door, and exiting the area quickly once the device went off. Police said the same person was placed at all three incidents arriving before the explosions, using the same vehicle and membership information.
Car-wash staff were able to identify Alden as a regular customer through his membership card, and investigators said footage of his vehicle—reported to be a 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor—and license plate further tied him to the scenes. A Wash Tub representative thanked the San Antonio Police Department and the arson investigator for their quick action and said the company would continue to cooperate with the District Attorney’s office, KENS5 reported.
Alden was released the same day he was arrested after posting a $50,000 bond. Bexar County records indicate this is not his first brush with such allegations—he reportedly faced an arson count back in 1995. As of the most recent available updates, the case remained pending, with Alden awaiting a grand-jury indictment as San Antonio police and fire investigators continued their work. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case drew national attention for the unsettling nature of the alleged scheme and the risk it posed to ordinary customers using a public restroom. Additional coverage of similar cases can be found in our Crime News section.
