A routine shoplifting incident turned into a major bomb scare on Wednesday afternoon after a suspect allegedly claimed to have explosives inside a backpack at a Miami Home Depot, prompting an evacuation and the deployment of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.
Authorities identified the suspect as 37-year-old Timothy Aviles, who now faces multiple charges following the dramatic scene at the store located at 19400 SW 106th Avenue.
The Confrontation
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 3:50 p.m. when a Loss Prevention Officer observed Aviles allegedly concealing two bottles of Tide detergent and a pack of lighters before leaving the store without paying.
When confronted, Aviles reportedly dropped his backpack and claimed it contained a bomb that “could explode at any time.” He allegedly taunted the officer by asking, “Can you smell it?” before pulling out the lighters.
Fearing Aviles might ignite a device, the officer quickly confiscated the lighters and alerted Deputy M. Lomeli, an off-duty Miami-Dade deputy working security at the store.
Evacuation and Investigation
Aviles allegedly repeated the bomb threat while being detained, triggering an immediate store evacuation. The Bomb Squad arrived and thoroughly examined the backpack, ultimately confirming there were no explosives inside — only the two stolen detergent bottles, worth about $25 in total.
Criminal History and Charges
A background check revealed Aviles had prior petit theft convictions in 2019 and 2025. After refusing to speak with investigators, he was arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
He is expected to face charges for theft and making a false report of an explosive, a serious offense that led to significant disruption and the mobilization of emergency services.
Authorities praised the quick response of store staff and law enforcement, noting that the incident could have ended far worse had officers not acted swiftly.
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