MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Cutler Bay man accused of making a false bomb threat after being confronted for shoplifting at a Home Depot near Zoo Miami was arrested Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
Jail records show Timothy Charles Aviles, 37, is facing one count each of making a false report about placing a bomb or explosive and petty theft.
It happened just before 4 p.m. at the Home Depot located at 19400 Southwest 106th Avenue, near Zoo Miami.
According to an arrest report, a loss prevention officer who works at the store spotted Aviles concealing merchandise — including two bottles of detergent and a pack of lighters — inside a backpack and his clothing.
The officer stated that Aviles walked past the registers and exited the store before they confronted him.
That’s when Aviles allegedly dropped his backpack and told the employee that there was a bomb inside “that could explode at any time,” according to the report.
Aviles then asked the officer, “Can you smell it?” before pulling a pack of lighters from his pocket, the report stated.
Fearing he might try to ignite the device, the officer took the lighters from him and alerted an off-duty Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy working security at the store.
While being detained, Aviles again claimed there was a bomb in his backpack, according to investigators.
The store was evacuated, and MDSO’s bomb squad was called to the scene.
Investigators said the backpack contained no explosives, only the two detergent bottles that had been stolen.
They said the total value of the stolen merchandise was approximately $25.
Records show Aviles has prior theft convictions from 2019 and earlier this year. He refused to speak with investigators following his arrest.
As of Thursday, he was being held on a $7,500 bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He was also ordered to stay away from the Home Depot where the threat occurred.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
