A woman in Florida has been charged after she tried to build an explosive device in a supermarket using products from the shelves.

Emily Stallard, who was with a child at the time, was spotted roaming around the Walmart in Tampa for more than an hour - opening unpaid items including flammable materials, projectiles and matches.

A security guard noticed her unusual behaviour and alerted an off-duty officer who happened to be in the store.

Image: Police were called to the Walmart store in Tampa, Florida on on Saturday evening

According to an arrest report, they managed to stop the 37-year-old just before she lit a wick.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said: "This woman had all the supplies she needed to cause mass destruction at her disposal.


"Had it not been for an alert off-duty law enforcement officer and a watchful security staff at Walmart, she may have followed through with her plans to cause an explosion inside the store.

"I am proud of the quick response by the officer and security personnel who stepped in - and the thorough job performed by my deputies to investigate this matter and make an arrest."

Investigators said Stallard spat at officers as she was being put into a patrol car.

She has been charged with attempted arson of a structure, fire bombing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse and battery on an officer.