Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
A woman in Florida was arrested over the weekend for allegedly making a homemade bomb in the middle of a Tampa Walmart store.
According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, 37-year-old Emily Stallard was taken into custody after trying to create a bomb from a mason jar, nails, and denatured alcohol inside of the Walmart Supercenter in the 2700 block of Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Florida.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the store just after 6 pm after receiving reports of a woman trying to make a bomb.
One of the store’s security guards noticed that Stallard had been wandering aimlessly through the aisles for more than an hour and was opening odd items she hadn’t paid for, including nails, a mason jar, flammable materials, and matches.
Thinking that her behavior was suspicious, he began watching her as she walked around the store. He also alerted an off-duty law enforcement officer who was inside the store at the time.
The security guard, along with the off-duty officer, were able to stop Stallard when she tried to light the wick of a candle, which she had placed inside a mason jar along with nails and denatured alcohol.
Stallard wasn’t alone inside of the store, either. She apparently brought a child with her into the Walmart Supercenter, too, which her boyfriend has identified as her own son.
Deputies said that the mother didn’t go without a fight. She spat on them while she was being loaded into the patrol car.
The Hillard County Sheriff’s Office shows that Stallard remains in custody, with the bond set at $8,500.
She is facing several charges, including firebombing, attempted arson of a structure, resisting arrest and battery of a law enforcement officer. On top of that, she’s also facing charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child abuse.
She is due in court to face charges Tuesday.
In a statement from Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, he applauds the “quick response” of the Walmart security guard and the off-duty officer.
He also added, “I can’t stress enough: if you see something, say something. You don’t have to tackle a bad guy to be a hero. One phone call to law enforcement when you spot something or someone suspicious can ultimately save lives.”
