FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Bobby Salazar, the owner of the “Bobby Salazar’s” restaurants located in both Fresno and Clovis, has been accused by federal prosecutors of hiring a gang member to set fire to one of his Fresno restaurants.

According to the federal Department of Justice, Salazar hired the president of the local Screamin’ Demons Motorcycle Club to start a fire at a “Bobby Salazar” restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno in 2024, and then claimed the loss on the insurance.

Grant says 63-year-old Salazar was arrested on a federal complaint for arson of a commercial property and arson in furtherance of a felony for directing a motorcycle gang member to set fire to an underperforming restaurant property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on April 2, 2024, a fire broke out at the vacant Bobby Salazar’s restaurant on Blackstone Avenue. Fire investigators say they determined that the cause of the fire was arson, with partially burned gas cans located inside the restaurant and extensive fire damage to the interior.

According to court documents, agents learned that the person who set the fire was the president of the local Screamin’ Demons Motorcycle Club. 

Salazar allegedly hired the motorcycle gang member to start the fire and then claimed to his insurance company that he had nothing to do with the arson.

Grant says he was ultimately paid out at least $980,739 for his insurance claim.

Salazar is expected to make an initial court appearance on Aug. 27 at the federal courthouse in Fresno. YourCentralValley.com has established that law enforcement was present at the “Bobby Salazar’s” restaurant in Fresno’s Tower District.

If convicted, Grant says Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for commercial arson, as well as 10 years in prison mandatorily consecutive for arson in furtherance of a felony.