The Fiery Downfall of a California Restaurant Mogul: Bobby Salazar’s Alleged Crime Spree

In a shocking turn of events that reads like a crime thriller, Robert “Bobby” Salazar, the 63-year-old owner of a successful California taqueria chain, has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a series of arson attacks spanning four years. Salazar, whose name adorns three Bobby Salazar’s Taqueria locations across central California and whose salsa and guacamole products line the shelves of major retailers like Walmart and Costco, now faces serious federal charges that could permanently tarnish his business empire. Behind the successful façade of his Mexican food business, investigators claim Salazar used fire as a weapon of revenge, intimidation, and fraud in a disturbing pattern that ultimately led to his downfall. His arrest last Tuesday marks the culmination of a meticulous investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into five separate arson incidents that paint a picture of a businessman who allegedly turned to crime when faced with personal and professional challenges.

The alleged arson spree began in 2020 with what appears to be a family vendetta. According to federal investigators, Salazar threw a Molotov cocktail at his sister’s ex-husband’s house shortly after the couple’s separation. This wasn’t a random act of violence – days before the attack, the ex-husband had discovered an unburned Molotov cocktail in bushes near a cracked window, suggesting a failed first attempt. Making matters more incriminating, the affidavit states that Salazar had called his former brother-in-law with the ominous message that “looks like somebody got you.” This personal attack would allegedly be just the beginning of Salazar’s fiery campaign. The very next month, another Molotov cocktail was hurled through the window of a law office representing a former employee who was suing Salazar for wrongful termination. Court documents reveal that prior to this attack, Salazar had allegedly attempted to bribe the employee with $20,000 to drop the lawsuit – an offer that was refused. The pattern of intimidation continued when another employee pursuing legal action against Salazar had three of his cars set ablaze. Fire investigators determined gasoline had been used as an accelerant in that attack, further connecting the dots in what would become a disturbing pattern.

The alleged intimidation campaign against those who challenged Salazar legally continued into 2021. According to the arrest affidavit, a third employee’s vehicles were set on fire the same day that Salazar was served with yet another discrimination lawsuit. This timing struck investigators as far too coincidental, especially given the similarity to previous incidents. Then, after a three-year gap that might have lulled authorities into thinking the arson spree had ended, Salazar allegedly escalated his crimes by targeting one of his own restaurants. Federal prosecutors claim that after a franchisee terminated their lease, leaving the location largely vacant, Salazar didn’t simply accept the business loss. Instead, he allegedly conspired with others to burn down the property – but not before increasing the insurance coverage by an additional $100,000. This adjustment would have potentially netted him a $1 million insurance payout had his plan succeeded without detection. The calculation behind this alleged scheme suggests a businessman who had moved beyond crimes of passion and vengeance into the realm of premeditated financial fraud.

The investigation that ultimately led to Salazar’s arrest was built on a foundation of modern detective work and digital evidence. When ATF investigators examined phone records of Salazar’s alleged co-conspirators – including the president of a motorcycle club – they discovered text messages that painted a damning picture. Messages like “yeah, you got paid all that money from bobby f—king to do what” and “I took penitentiary chances for ur stupid a–” suggested that Salazar had recruited others to do his dirty work. What’s particularly striking about the case is Salazar’s apparent lack of discretion. According to the affidavit, he “boasted about being willing to use fire to carry out criminal ends,” suggesting a man who had become dangerously comfortable with arson as a problem-solving tool. This brazenness may have contributed to his eventual capture, as it created a trail of witnesses and evidence that authorities could follow directly to his doorstep.

Beyond the arson allegations, the case against Salazar includes accusations that he attempted to manipulate the legal system to protect himself from the very lawsuits that allegedly drove him to commit arson in the first place. Investigators claim he tried to pressure employees into providing false testimony during legal proceedings against him. In one particularly egregious example cited in the affidavit, Salazar allegedly offered a significant payment to an employee in exchange for falsely testifying that another former employee was a drug dealer. This alleged witness tampering suggests a businessman who viewed the legal system not as a framework for justice, but as another obstacle to be circumvented through any means necessary – even if those means involved lying under oath or coercing others to do so. The case becomes even more complicated with the discovery of illegal firearms during a raid on Salazar’s home, potentially adding weapons charges to his already serious legal troubles.

Following his arrest, Salazar posted a $1 million bail last Friday and now awaits trial on two felony charges: arson of a commercial property and arson in furtherance of a federal felony. However, prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues to unfold. The case of Bobby Salazar serves as a stark reminder of how success in business doesn’t necessarily translate to ethical behavior or legal compliance. From restaurant owner to alleged serial arsonist, Salazar’s journey illustrates how personal grudges, professional disputes, and financial pressures can – in extreme cases – lead some individuals down destructive paths. As the legal process moves forward, the communities served by Salazar’s restaurants and the employees who depend on them for their livelihoods now face uncertainty about the future of a brand that has become synonymous not just with Mexican food, but with its founder’s alleged crimes. What began as a success story in the competitive restaurant industry has transformed into a cautionary tale about the potential consequences when business and personal ethics collapse under pressure.