Texas man 'rigged San Antonio car wash toilets to explode when sat on' leaving one customer 'very upset'

A man from Texas has been accused of setting up explosives under toilet seats at several branches of a local car wash chain. Paul Moses Alden, 46, who was a member of the business, was arrested last week and charged with one count of arson causing reckless damage or bodily injury, after allegedly placing small explosives that would explode under pressure beneath the seats .

According to a probable cause affidavit from the San Antonio Police Department dated July 27, 2024, several incidents occurred at Wash Tub Car Centers in the area. The three incidents described involved "small explosions" being "set under toilet seats" at two of the car wash chain's locations.

Company managers informed police officers that the first two incidents happened on July 19 and 20 at the Wash Tub in the 1200 block of Bandera Road in Helotes, Texas . A company representative explained how on both dates, customers using the bathroom/toilet heard loud "bangs.

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In the second incident, a female customer was injured. The affidavit states: "The female customer was reportedly very upset and left the location before a report was made. The Helotes Police Department responded to the location to take the report and document the scene."

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The third incident happened at 5:56 p. m, at the Tub Wash on N Loop 1604 E in San Antonio, according to the affidavit, which mentioned: "During this incident, two loud 'bangs' were heard from the bathroom at two separate times while an employee (the victim) and child were using the toilet."

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A company spokesperson informed police that a male customer had been pinpointed as a suspect. At that moment his identity was unknown and he had left prior to the authorities arriving.

The report contains: "The defendant was identified by management as the suspect setting these fireworks/small explosives from security video placing him arriving at all three incidents prior to the explosions, using the same vehicle and membership information."

Security video was alleged to have captured Alden leaving the bathroom and then sitting in the waiting area looking towards the bathroom until the sound of the explosion was heard. Later, Wash Tub management handed over debris from the bathrooms to investigators and confirmed identification of Alden through their customer records.

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This individual, known as a regular customer, was highlighted in a broadcast by San Antonio CBS affiliate KENS. A representative expressed they were "very pleased" with the investigative efforts and stressed their intention to "fully cooperate with SAPD and the District Attorney's Office."

After his arrest, Alden was released the same day upon posting a $50,000 bond. His next court appearance remains unspecified.