Man charged in Sliders arson, tied to multiple fires

The man previously identified as a suspected serial arsonist in the June 20 fire at Sliders Seaside Grill now faces 15 felony charges, according to Nassau County court records.

John Robuskie Sallas Jr., 53, of Hilliard, has been charged with seven counts of arson and eight counts of burglary of a dwelling. He was initially arrested on June 26 for a probation violation after Fernandina Beach police released surveillance footage of a man setting fire to a patio umbrella at the beachfront restaurant.

The late-night blaze at Sliders, located at 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., was quickly contained thanks to the building’s sprinkler system and a fast response by firefighters. Though multiple ignition points were found, the restaurant reopened later the same day.

"The business was closed at the time of the fire, which had multiple points of origin," Fire Chief Jeremy Holmes said. "Thankfully, firefighters and the building’s sprinkler system were able to contain it — the situation could have been much worse."

Video from the night shows a man — middle-aged, tattooed calf, dressed in shorts, T-shirt, and baseball cap — using a lighter to ignite an umbrella before casually walking away.

Two of Sallas’ relatives came forward after recognizing his walk, tattoos, and mannerisms in the footage. They also told police he was driving a dark blue 2016 Chevy Cruze registered to his father.

Investigators later linked Sallas to a series of other fires across Nassau County dating back to October 2024, relying on surveillance video, license plate data, and location tracking. One of those fires happened in the early morning hours of Feb. 14, 2025, in Fernandina Beach. Security footage captured a man exiting a dark four-door vehicle on First Avenue, attempting to break into two cars before setting a third on fire by igniting its car cover. Minutes later, the same man is seen walking to a nearby home, pulling a patio cushion from a porch, placing it against a palm tree, and lighting it with a lighter.

In a separate October 2024 incident in the 35000 block of Quail Road in Callahan, a resident reported an explosion around 1:15 a.m. and found his Ford F-150 engulfed in flames. The fire also damaged a nearby Infiniti QX56. Investigators determined the fire started inside the truck’s passenger compartment. Residential surveillance video showed a dark four-door vehicle pulling into a lot just before the fire broke out.

That same month, another explosion woke a woman and her granddaughter just after 1 a.m. in the 45000 block of Dixie Avenue, also in Callahan. Their Toyota Prius was on fire, and flames had spread to their rear porch. Both fires were ruled intentional after reviewing video evidence.

Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive. Sallas remains in the Nassau County jail on $630,000 bond while awaiting trial.