Texas man accused of placing 'pressure-activated' fireworks under toilet seats in bathrooms

A man is out on bond after being arrested in San Antonio, Texas for allegedly booby-trapping toilets in bathrooms of local businesses and causing explosions with “pressure-activated” fireworks.

Paul Moses Alden, 46, was arrested on Aug. 1 on a charge of "arson causing reckless damage – bodily injury," a San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) spokesperson told USA TODAY. He was released from jail the same day on a $50,000 bond and is currently awaiting indictment, he added.

Alden is accused of placing the “pressure activated," commercially available, fireworks under toilet seats in restrooms of the local businesses thus causing injuries when someone sat down on the seat, according to the spokesperson.

Numerous people reported minor injuries when the explosive devices attached to toilets detonated, KENS 5 reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

Paul Alden a 'regular customer' of car wash he targeted

The first attack allegedly carried out by Alden was reported on July 20 at the Wash Tub, a car wash in Helotes, Texas, according to the affidavit, per the TV station.

Authorities caught a man on their security camera entering a unisex bathroom, and then a small explosion was seen shortly after, the affidavit says, according to KENS 5. A woman was injured in the explosion but she was able to leave the location and make a report.

Six days later, a little girl and an employee at a Wash Tub in San Antonio were victims of the exploding devices, the TV station said, per the affidavit. Remains of the fireworks were found in the bathroom.

The affidavit says Alden was spotted on security cameras entering and leaving the bathrooms, sitting in the lobbies of the businesses, watching the bathroom door and then leaving after the explosives went off, according to the TV station. Employees of the car washes told police they could identify Alden because he was a "regular customer" who used a membership card.

A Wash Tub spokesman shared a statement with KENS 5, which said, "We are very pleased with the quick action of SAPD and the Arson investigator working this case. We will continue to fully cooperate with SAPD and the District Attorney's office."