Washington man arrested in Fredericksburg after explosives found in U-Haul truck

The Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that an arrest was made following the discovery of several explosive devices discovered in a truck sitting in their impound lot in Fredericksburg on October 11.  As deputies searched the rented U-Haul box truck, they encountered multiple devices and called for additional support from the San Antonio Police Department and the FBI.  During the operation, numerous cans of ammunition, a handgun and body armor were also found inside the truck.

Authorities determined the devices were too unstable to transport, which led to them creating a safety zone to detonate some of them.  Other devices were rendered safe and removed by the bomb squad.

Deputies received a tip about a wanted person traveling through the area in the U-Haul and were told that the man was wanted out of Washington for stealing more than $400,000 worth of coins and precious metals.  The man was identified as 46-year-old Zachary Richardson Rhyne and was found a few miles south of Fredericksburg on Highway 87.

Rhyne is currently in the Gillespie County Jail and is expected to face more charges after being arrested on a larceny-theft warrant.  Deputies said they were able to recover the coins and precious metals.