Man charged for making homemade explosives, threats on MBTA

A Boston man faces multiple charges after he allegedly made bomb threats and carried homemade explosives aboard a commuter train, officials said.

Shane Cutillo, 29, was charged June 29 with possession of a false incendiary device, possession of a false device or substance, unlawful possession of fireworks and disorderly conduct on public transportation, court records show.

Cutillo was ordered held on $10,000 bail, and is prohibited from using MBTA transit and possessing dangerous weapons, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Cotillo’s charges stem 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” on board a commuter rail train.

Hayden’s office said a witness reported that a man, later identified as Cotillo, was talking loudly about making bombs and giving them to extremist groups, terrorist groups and the homeless.

The witness also told police that the man said he was inspired by the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors said.

Cotillo allegedly had a separate large lithium battery, an electric towel warmer with wires coming out of it, and an electric scooter with a bag attached to it. A hazardous equipment technician came to the scene to evaluate the items, according to Hayden’s office.

Officials said X-rays revealed “a possible energy source, a fuse, an explosive device, and a switch in the container.” A lithium battery secured with duct tape, small utility batteries, a water bottle, a cell phone, a power adapter, and a BOOM Margarita wine cocktail container were found inside the electric towel heater.

The bag attached to the scooter contained several commercial fireworks that exploded and caused an explosion. Hayden’s office said no one was injured.

Cotillo was sent to hospital after telling police he intended to harm himself. He was then taken into police custody at the hospital, officials said.

“This man had the materials to make a potentially dangerous device, but thanks to some vigilant passengers and quick follow-up by transit police, he never had the opportunity to go ahead with anything harmful to the public,” Hayden said. “I thank everyone involved in bringing this situation to a safe conclusion.”

Cotillo’s defense attorney did not respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.

He is scheduled to return to court July 28 for a preliminary hearing, court records show.