The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has arrested taco truck owner, Pablo Serrano, for allegedly staging his own robbery. On August 2, 2024, TCSO deputies responded to an area on West Caldwell Avenue in Visalia for a report of a robbery at a taco truck.

At the scene, Serrano allegedly told deputies that the suspects took his cash and his $80,000 truck. Surveillance footage caught the robbery on camera. Detectives say they found the truck fully engulfed in flames in an orchard near Woodlake.

The truck was a complete loss. There was more than $10,000 in damages to the orchard. In the following days, detectives say they found evidence suggesting Serrano had staged the robbery with friends to make an insurance claim on the $80,000 truck.

Serrano made an insurance claim on the vehicle the day after the robbery. On August 12, 2024, Detectives went to the Taco Truck and arrested Serrano. At this time, Serrano is charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Arson, and Insurance Fraud.

Juan Mendez was arrested for Conspiracy and Arson. TCSO says one additional suspect is wanted for questioning.