A man wanted for an armed robbery in Meridian has been arrested in Idaho Falls following a coordinated effort by federal marshals and local law enforcement agencies. Francisco Salazar was taken into custody June 30 after the U.S. Marshals Service tracked him to the Idaho Falls area, more than two months after the March 16 robbery at a Meridian residence.
The arrest came after Meridian Police Department obtained an arrest warrant on May 7 and forwarded it to the U.S. Marshal Service on May 11. Investigators determined Salazar had fled the Treasure Valley area, prompting federal authorities to expand the search beyond Ada County. On June 29, the U.S. Marshals Task Force received a tip placing the suspect in the Idaho Falls region, leading to the June 30 apprehension in a residential neighborhood near Ammon.
Details of the Arrest Operation
Task force members located Salazar in the area near an Ammon Walmart and deployed a distraction device during the arrest to ensure the operation was completed safely. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, according to law enforcement officials overseeing the case.
The March robbery in Meridian involved the theft of a firearm from the residence. The weapon’s recovery and Salazar’s apprehension represent a significant development in a case that has spanned several months and required coordination across state and federal boundaries.
Multi-Agency Coordination
The arrest reflected cooperation among multiple law enforcement jurisdictions. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Chubbuck Police Department, Rexburg Police Department, and Idaho Falls Police Department all participated in locating and apprehending Salazar. The involvement of agencies across eastern Idaho underscores the challenge of tracking suspects who flee populated areas and the importance of coordinated regional law enforcement efforts.
The U.S. Marshal Service Communication Center can be reached at 1-800-336-0102 for additional information regarding the case or the arrest operation.
What Comes Next
Salazar’s case will proceed through the Ada County judicial system. Residents with information related to the original March robbery or questions about the investigation are encouraged to contact Meridian Police Department or local law enforcement agencies.
The arrest marks another success for the U.S. Marshals Task Force in locating fugitives who have fled the Treasure Valley region. Similar coordinated efforts have resulted in the apprehension of other suspects wanted in connection with violent crimes across Idaho and neighboring jurisdictions.