On New Year's Day, January 1, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, emergency responders were dispatched to a large warehouse fire at the intersection of 18th Street and Avenue O in Hondo. The Hondo Police Department and Fire Department quickly arrived at the scene to contain the blaze.
The Hondo Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division initiated an investigation into the fire. Detectives worked through the night and into the early morning hours, gathering evidence. A key piece of evidence came from dash camera footage obtained from a civilian, which showed individuals fleeing the area shortly after the fire started.
The investigation revealed that the fire was caused by the improper use of a firework, which was set off in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. After posting the footage to the department's Facebook page, the community responded with a flood of tips via the Medina County Crime Stoppers P3 app. These tips were crucial in identifying the three juvenile suspects involved in the incident.
Due to the suspects' age, their identities have not been released. However, criminal charges of Arson and Criminal Mischief have been referred to the Medina County Juvenile Probation Department for further prosecution.
Hondo Police Chief Soza expressed gratitude for the community's assistance, stating, “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted tips and to all those who assisted in this investigation. Your cooperation and vigilance were vital in resolving this case.”
