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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Robert “Bobby” Salazar was arrested connected national arson charges Tuesday, accused of hiring a squad of arsonists to pain down his ain restaurant.
The occurrence happened astatine Bobby Salazar’s Taqueria connected 2389 N. Blackstone connected April 2, 2024.
Now, Salazar’s ain sanction is printed connected the national affidavit.
He is charged with 1 number of Arson of Commercial Property and 1 number of Arson successful Furtherance of a Federal Felony.
Court documents assertion the conspiracy began successful January 2024 erstwhile 1 of Salazar’s franchisees terminated their lease with him and closed their restaurant.
By Jan. 31, 2024, the edifice was closed to the nationalist and near empty, speech from Salazar utilizing it for storage.
Investigators accidental Salazar renewed and accrued his security argumentation connected the gathering successful February. He accrued his argumentation by astir $102,000, according to the affidavit.
Then, little than 2 months later, the edifice caught connected fire.
The Fresno Fire Department recovered lit state cans successful the building, which they accidental started the fire.
Surveillance footage from a gathering adjacent showed a antheral and a pistillate driving astir the gathering dilatory respective times earlier going inside.
Both were arrested wrong weeks of the fire.
Court documents accidental Salazar told constabulary helium had ne'er met the suspects, who were aboriginal identified to beryllium portion of a motorcycle gang.
Salazar instantly reported the occurrence to his security institution and collected $980,739.12 for the damages.
However, the antheral and pistillate arrested for starting the occurrence seemingly besides expected a payday.
Documents accidental they sent each different texts discussing “getting wealth from Bobby” and made dozens of telephone calls to Salazar and his wife’s telephone numbers.
Court documents accidental the antheral fishy told his woman during a recorded telephone call, “he’s gonna enactment the wealth up for it, or, oregon helium tin travel to jailhouse with me.”
Investigators judge helium was referencing Salazar.
Officials accidental they besides interviewed respective erstwhile Bobby Salazar’s employees who impeach Salazar of threatening them oregon mounting their cars connected fire.
The researcher filed the grounds successful a ceremonial national affidavit Saturday, and agents arrested Salazar Tuesday.
His edifice successful the Fresno Tower District was blocked by caution portion and surrounded by constabulary cars Tuesday, but officials person not confirmed if this was related to the national investigation.
If convicted, helium could service up to 30 years successful prison.
