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

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