Santa Maria man arrested for ramming stolen vehicle, evading police

A Santa Maria man was arrested after he backed his vehicle into a police cruiser and then evaded police.

Just before noon, a Santa Maria police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was seen speeding near the intersection of West Fesler Street and North Benwiley Avenue.

When the officer exited his car to speak to the driver, the suspect put his vehicle into reverse and backed into the patrol car multiple times. The suspect then fled the area in the vehicle as officers pursued him.

The suspect pulled into an apartment complex parking lot and then fled on foot.

Officers set up a perimeter and searched the area for the suspect. He was eventually located and taken into custody without incident.

Police later determined that the vehicle the suspect was driving had been reported stolen.

The suspect has been identified as Antonio Sanchez, 32, of Santa Maria.

Sanchez was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail and could face charges for assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, and an outstanding felony no-bail warrant.