Inset: Timothy Aviles (Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center). Background: The Home Depot hardware store in Miami-Dade County, Fla., where Timothy Aviles is accused of making a false bomb threat (Google Maps).
In Florida, a man is accused of making a bomb threat at a Home Depot after being caught by a loss prevention officer for shoplifting. He allegedly claimed to have explosives in his backpack, challenging the worker with, “Can you smell it?”
Timothy Aviles, 37, reportedly “pulled out a pack of lighters from his pocket” after leaving the store and made it seem like he was about to set something on fire, as detailed in a criminal complaint acquired by Law&Crime.
The report reveals, “Concerned that he might use the lighters to ignite a device, the loss prevention officer took the lighters from him.” The officer then notified a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy who was on off-duty duty at the store.
The deputy detained Aviles, who allegedly continued his threats towards the store and surrounding individuals, prompting the call for the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad and evacuation of the Home Depot.
“[Aviles] stated again that there was a bomb in his backpack,” the complaint alleges.
Upon inspecting Aviles’ backpack, authorities found no explosive items. Instead, the complaint notes they discovered two “Tide detergent bottles” that Aviles allegedly shoplifted.
“[Police] interviewed the loss prevention officer, who stated he observed the defendant place the bottles of detergent in his backpack and place the pack of lighters in his front right pant pocket,” the complaint says. “The loss prevention officer, witnessing the individual walk past all points of sale and exit the store, identified himself to the individual, who immediately dropped his backpack to the floor and told the loss prevention officer there was a bomb in the backpack and it could explode at any time.”
The total cost of Aviles’ Home Depot haul was approximately $25, according to police. A records check revealed prior convictions dating back to 2019, as well as earlier this year for petit theft.
“The defendant refused to speak with investigators, was charged accordingly, and transported,” the complaint concludes.
Aviles is facing one count of making a false report about placing a bomb or explosive and one count of petty theft. He was being held Thursday on a $7,500 bond and ordered to stay away from Home Depot.
