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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Cameras were not allowed successful national tribunal Wednesday day arsenic Fresno concern proprietor Robert "Bobby" Salazar made his archetypal tribunal quality pursuing his apprehension Tuesday.
Salazar faces arson and fraud charges aft allegedly hiring a motorcycle nine subordinate to acceptable occurrence to to the Bobby Salazar's edifice connected Blackstone Avenue successful speech for a $980,000 security payout, according to tribunal documents.
"Mr. Salazar had seemingly rented the determination retired to idiosyncratic else. That tenant wasn't capable to support the concern open, truthful helium took it backmost implicit astatine the extremity of 2023," ineligible expert Roger Bonakdar said. "In 2024, helium takes possession of the property, re-ups the security argumentation and adjacent adds sum for nonaccomplishment of rental income, adjacent though the spot wasn't rented. He claims helium was utilizing it for storage, according to the complaint. Yet astir 4 months later, the gathering burns down."
Bonakdar said Salazar's security institution and national investigators had been looking into him for years earlier his arrest.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and cellphone information that placed 2 people, aboriginal identified arsenic co-conspirators, adjacent the scene. Both were members of a section motorcycle gang.
"They instrumentality 1 of these individuals into custody and commencement signaling their jailhouse calls," Bonakdar said. "That idiosyncratic starts communicating with different alleged members of the Screamin' Demon motorcycle gang. Then 1 who is alleged to beryllium the president of this motorcycle pack connects with, allegedly, Bobby Salazar."
According to the complaint, Salazar denied knowing the 2 men during the security company's investigation, but recorded jailhouse calls suggest otherwise.
The ailment besides references anterior allegations.
"Back successful 2020, determination was a civilian suit involving Mr. Salazar and 1 of his erstwhile employees," Bonakdar said. "That employee, who sued him, seemingly had 3 of their vehicles deed by Molotov cocktails and burned. Later that aforesaid year, allegedly, the erstwhile brother-in-law of Mr. Salazar was besides targeted with Molotov cocktails. Shortly thereafter, a section attorney's bureau representing an worker against Mr. Salazar had its bureau deed with Molotov cocktails."
Friends of Salazar, who declined to talk connected camera, said they judge helium is guiltless and stay optimistic.
Salazar's restaurants stay open.
If convicted, Salazar faces up to 30 years successful prison. Wednesday's tribunal quality was continued to Thursday arsenic helium awaits ineligible representation. He remains successful national custody.
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