A Santa Maria Man Was Arrested on Kidnapping and Attempted Murder Charges
SANTA MARIA, CA — – June 23, 2026 – An arrest has been made in connection with an attempted murder investigation
stemming from an April 2026 domestic violence incident that left a woman with life-
threatening injuries.
Manuel Mendez, 22, of Santa Maria is in custody on $1 million bond.
According to Santa Maria Police Department spokesman Lt. Andy Magallon, on April
19 SMPD patrol units were called to investigate “a report that a male suspect had
forcibly dragged a woman into a vehicle.” When the cops rolled up to the scene, they
were unable to find the people involved and began searching the area for witnesses and
additional information.
During the immediately ensuing investigation, officers located “an adult female victim”
at another nearby location who had been “struck and run over by a vehicle” and who
suffered life-threatening injuries.
SMPD detectives then opened “an extensive investigation” into the case. Working with
partner law enforcement agencies including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s
empte
Mendez was located Thursday, June 18 and was taken into custody without incident.
He was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder,
assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, domestic violence,
criminal threats, stalking, kidnapping and hit-and-run resulting in injury.
Mendez remains in custody with his bail set at $1 million.
– By F. Scott Faulkner
