Executive of SLO County business arrested after allegedly embezzling over $400K

An executive employee of a small business in Atascadero was arrested this week after allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company.

Robert Vasquez, Paso Robles resident and Chief Operations Officer of Scott O’Brien Fire and Safety, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of embezzling over $400,000 from the company, the Atascadero Police Department said in a news release.

The company’s owner first contacted the police in May to report a suspected case of employee embezzlement, the release said.

According to police, Vasquez, 37, embezzled $423,460 from the business over the course of nearly five years from January 2019 to October 2023.

Police said Vasquez used the company’s money to pay his rent, pay his personal credit card bills, make unauthorized cash withdrawals from the company’s checking account and for other personal expenses.

Vasquez was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail, with bail set at $20,000.

“The Atascadero Police Department remains committed to ensuring justice and safeguarding the community from financial crimes,” police said.