Crime
A witness reported the man making threats said he was inspired by the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks at the U.S. Capitol.
A Boston man is facing multiple charges after allegedly making bomb threats and carrying homemade explosives aboard the Commuter Rail, officials said.
Shane Cautillo, 29, was charged June 29 with possession of a hoax incendiary device, possession of a hoax device or substance, unlawful possession of fireworks, and disorderly conduct on a public conveyance, court records show.
Cautillo was ordered held on $10,000 bail and has been prohibited from using MBTA transit and possessing dangerous weapons, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office said in a statement.
Cautillo’s charges originate from an incident on June 27, when MTBA Transit police were called to North Station, minutes before 10:30 p.m., for a report of a “suspicious person” aboard a Commuter Rail train, prosecutors said.
A witness reported a man, later identified as Cautillo, was allegedly speaking loudly about making bombs and giving them to extremist groups, terrorist groups, and the homeless, Hayden’s office said.
The witness also told police the man said he was inspired by the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks at the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors said.
Cautillo allegedly had a large, disconnected lithium battery, an electric towel warmer with wires sticking out of it, and an electric scooter with a bag attached to it. A Hazardous Device Technician came to the scene to assess the items, according to Hayden’s office.
Officials said an X-Ray revealed “a possible power source, fusing, explosive charge, and switch in the container.” A duct-taped lithium battery, small tool batteries, a water bottle, a cell phone, a power adapter, and a container of BOOM Margarita wine cocktail were found inside the electric towel warmer.
The bag attached to the scooter contained several commercial fireworks that went off and caused an explosion. No one was injured, Hayden’s office said.
Cautillo was sent to the hospital after he told police he planned to harm himself. He was then placed in police custody at the hospital, officials said.
“This man had the materials to make a possibly dangerous device, but thanks to some alert commuters and quick follow-up work by transit police, he didn’t get the chance to move forward with anything harmful to the public,” Hayden said. “I thank all involved for bringing this situation to a safe conclusion.”
Cautillo’s defense attorney did not respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.
He is scheduled to return to court on July 28 for a pretrial hearing, court records show.
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