Early Saturday morning, January 25, 2025, Hondo Police Department patrol officers and Medina County Fire/EMS responded to a structure fire at RCM Tondre Storage on Avenue X. Upon arrival, officers observed active flames consuming multiple storage units. The Hondo Fire Department was dispatched and arrived promptly, with Engine 8160 reaching the scene within seven minutes.
The fire, located in the 2000 block of Avenue X, prompted additional responses from Stations 60, 10, 70, and 20. Crews managed to contain the flames to one building within the complex. Despite their efforts, 24 individual storage units were destroyed.
An investigation determined the fire was intentionally set. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Gregory Gerstner, who was in the area at the time of the fire, for the alleged offense of arson.
Gerstner was previously arrested on November 5, 2024, for allegedly setting fire to Hondo Attic Self Storage on 18th Street. He remained in jail until his release on a PR bond just two days prior, on January 23, 2025.
Anyone with additional information about this investigation is urged to contact the Hondo Police Department Criminal Investigations Division or submit tips anonymously through the Medina County Crime Stoppers P3 app.
