Bobby Salazar arrested, accused of hiring motorcycle gang to set fire in restaurant: DOJ

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Robert "Bobby" Salazar, known for his namesake Mexican restaurants in Fresno and Clovis, has been arrested on arson and fraud charges, according to federal prosecutors.

Court documents allege Salazar hired a member of a motorcycle gang to set fire to the Bobby Salazar's restaurant on Blackstone Avenue. He was taken into custody just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Investigators say the fire that broke out on April 2, 2024, at the Blackstone location was intentionally set. Burned gas cans were found inside the restaurant.

While Salazar owns some of the restaurants that bear his name, others, including all restaurants in Clovis, are operated as independently owned franchises. The Blackstone Avenue location was previously a franchise but had returned to company ownership before the fire.

Prosecutors allege Salazar paid the president of the Screamin' Demons Motorcycle Club to start the fire, then told his insurance company he had nothing to do with it. He later received nearly $1 million from the insurance claim.

Salazar is charged with arson of commercial property and arson in furtherance of a federal felony. He is scheduled to appear in Fresno County court Wednesday.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

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