“U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California”
A well-known California restaurant operator has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly hiring a motorcycle gang member to burn down one of his own restaurants and collecting nearly $1 million in insurance money.
Robert “Bobby” Salazar, 63, was taken into custody on a federal complaint charging him with arson of commercial property and arson in furtherance of a felony, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced. Prosecutors allege that Salazar directed the president of the local Screamin Demons Motorcycle Club to set fire to his underperforming Blackstone Avenue restaurant, Bobby Salazars Taqueria.
On April 2, 2024, a fire gutted the vacant Fresno restaurant. Fire investigators found partially burned gas cans inside and determined the blaze had been deliberately set. According to court documents, Salazar denied involvement when questioned and went on to file an insurance claim. He was ultimately paid at least $980,739…