Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reporter

Robert Salonga

Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. A San Jose native, he graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in history and from the University of Maryland with a MA degree in journalism. Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002.

The sprinkler system was not working when a fire reportedly set near lumber section leveled the Blossom Hill Road store in 2022 and dirtied air for surrounding neighborhoods.

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Home Depot to pay $1.3 million for fire code violations after arson destroyed San Jose store

May 21, 2024 at 4:17 a.m.

The sprinkler system was not working when a fire reportedly set near lumber section leveled the Blossom Hill Road store in 2022 and dirtied air for surrounding neighborhoods.

Police say a 32-year-old South San Jose resident was making and selling a synthetic drug that combines cocaine with meth, ecstasy, ketamine and opioids.

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San Jose donut shop owner charged with selling ‘pink cocaine’

February 8, 2024 at 9:59 a.m.

Police say a 32-year-old South San Jose resident was making and selling a synthetic drug that combines cocaine with meth, ecstasy, ketamine and opioids.

The suspects are accused of more than 70 shoplifting instances at big-box retailers for upwards of $75,000 in losses.

Two men accused of more than 70 shoplifting instances in San Jose

February 9, 2024 at 3:38 a.m.

The suspects are accused of more than 70 shoplifting instances at big-box retailers for upwards of $75,000 in losses.

The Santa Clara County DA led a multi-agency investigation into a scheme that overbilled carriers by $40 million for unneeded drugs and medical devices.

Probe into $40 million California insurance, telemarketing scam ends with final sentencing

January 31, 2024 at 5:09 a.m.

The Santa Clara County DA led a multi-agency investigation into a scheme that overbilled carriers by $40 million for unneeded drugs and medical devices.

Washington United Youth Center is a safe haven for teens in a storied neighborhood south of downtown, and is looking to provide computers to level the playing field.

Wish Book: Vital San Jose youth center looks for tech upgrade

December 27, 2023 at 11:21 a.m.

Washington United Youth Center is a safe haven for teens in a storied neighborhood south of downtown, and is looking to provide computers to level the playing field.

Michael Nichols will be the first indicted defendant convicted from a wide-ranging probe that spurred the ouster of former sheriff Laurie Smith amid allegations her office favor-traded concealed firearm licenses.

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Major guilty plea in Santa Clara County gun permit corruption case

November 3, 2023 at 6:52 a.m.

Michael Nichols will be the first indicted defendant convicted from a wide-ranging probe that spurred the ouster of former sheriff Laurie Smith amid allegations her office favor-traded concealed firearm licenses.

A mother and daughter who own the home-based childcare business in the Almaden area are accused of leaving a backyard pool unsecured.

Daycare owners arrested in San Jose child drownings

October 16, 2023 at 5:39 a.m.

A mother and daughter who own the home-based childcare business in the Almaden area are accused of leaving a backyard pool unsecured.

Police say a responding officer interrupted the break-in at Broadway Plaza early Tuesday.

Would-be burglars crash Land Rover through East Bay Louis Vuitton store

October 4, 2023 at 10:22 a.m.

Police say a responding officer interrupted the break-in at Broadway Plaza early Tuesday.

Thomas Moyer convinced a judge two years ago that his offer of iPads to the sheriff's office was not a bribe to speed up getting the permits for his security agents; a ruling published Friday reversed that judge's decision

Appeals court revives bribery charge for Apple security exec in Santa Clara County concealed-gun permit scandal

August 28, 2023 at 4:13 a.m.

Thomas Moyer convinced a judge two years ago that his offer of iPads to the sheriff's office was not a bribe to speed up getting the permits for his security...

Federal judges sided with South Bay public defenders who challenged a law that allowed state employees to seek campaign donations from each other but barred county and municipal employees from doing the same.

Ninth Circuit overturns political fundraising ban for local government employees

July 20, 2023 at 3:39 p.m.

Federal judges sided with South Bay public defenders who challenged a law that allowed state employees to seek campaign donations from each other but barred county and municipal employees from...

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