Taco Truck Owner Arrested After Staging Robbery and Arson for Insurance Payout

A taco truck owner in Visalia, California, Pablo Serrano, has been arrested for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving a staged robbery and arson to collect insurance money. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded to a robbery report on August 2, where Serrano claimed that two men stole $800 in cash and his $80,000 pickup truck. However, the investigation quickly took a turn when a nearby vehicle fire was reported, leading authorities to discover that the truck belonged to Serrano.

Surveillance footage and a confession from Juan Mendez, an accomplice, revealed that the incident was staged. Serrano later attempted to file an insurance claim for the burned vehicle, sealing his fate. Both Serrano and Mendez were arrested on charges including conspiracy, arson, and insurance fraud. Authorities are still searching for a third suspect involved in the scheme.