– By F. Scott Faulkner
SANTA MARIA, CA — August 15, 2025 – What began as a tense standoff in a quiet Santa Maria neighborhood ended on the afternoon of
August 13 with the arrest of a wanted man hiding in his own attic.
The confrontation unfolded around 11:30 a.m. when deputies with the Santa Barbara
County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve felony warrants on 30-year-old Victor Manuel Ayala
Sanchez of Santa Maria.
Instead of complying, Sanchez barricaded himself inside his East Sunset Avenue home and refused to come out.
Crisis negotiators arrived shortly thereafter, and spent hours urging him to surrender. “The
situation was slow-moving,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Raquel
Zick.
Residence in the area were evacuate, the house was surrounded with an armored Special Enforcement Team vehicle, a K-9 officer, and aerial support from a
county helicopter.
The scene drew concern “because of its proximity” to a local elementary
school, although classes were not in session.
Four hours later, deputies “entered the premises” and located Sanchez concealed in an attic crawl
space. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Sanchez was transported to the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail with no bail.
He’s been charged with robbery, carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon among others.
A gang enhancement charge was added.
He also faces several misdemeanor charges and remains in custody on a no-bail hold.
