Deputies arrested Santa Maria man after five-hour standoff on Ray Road west of Santa Maria

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Deputies arrested 48-year-old Santa Maria man after a five-hour standoff in the 400 block of Ray Road, west of Santa Maria.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, the man brandished a machete and threatened an unidentified person with the weapon before retreating into his home when deputies arrived to the scene just after 10 a.m Tuesday.

Deputies evacuated less than five people as part of the standoff as a precaution and confirmed the 48-year-old was the only person inside of the residents detailed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby roadways remained open and specialists including crisis negotiators and air support joined the law enforcement response added the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

Despite attempts to resolve the incident peacefully, the 48-year-old refused to exit his residence and around 3:20 p.m. deputies deployed chemical agents and took the man into custody shared the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

The 48-year-old was arrested and booked into the Northern Branch Jail and his charges and bail were not immediately released stated the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.