The City of New Braunfels Fire Marshal’s Office has made an arrest in a recent Arson investigation. On October 21st, 2025, at approximately 3:30am, officers with the New Braunfels Police Department were called to a residence in the 2200 block of West Bridge Street for a report of a disturbance. Officers arrived to find that the resident of the home had awoken to discover that several plastic bags of clothing were on fire outside of a detached garage and near other occupied structures. The resident was able to quickly put out the fire with a water hose and had called police. No injuries were reported from the fire, and there was no damage to nearby structures.
The New Braunfels Fire Marshal’s Office then began an investigation into the cause of the fire and determined that it had been intentionally set. Additional investigation led to a judge signing an arrest warrant for the suspect and search warrant of his residence.
On today’s date (10-24-25), at approximately 6am, the New Braunfels Police Department SWAT Team assisted the Fire Marshal’s Office with executing those warrants at a home in the 200 block of South Grape Avenue. 36-year old Gilbert Hernandez of New Braunfels was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Comal County Jail and charged with Arson, a 2nd degree felony, with bond set at $25,000. Additionally, Hernandez had an outstanding warrant for Assault of a Family Member/Household Member with Previous Conviction, out of Comal County, and that warrant was also served.
The investigation into this incident continues and additional charges may be pending.