Watsonville Stabbing Suspect Takes Authorities for a Ride
Suspect took kids along for the ride too
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department arrested Watsonville resident 36-year-old Carlos Sanchez on Christmas morning after he stabbed a female in the upper torso and then fled the scene with 2 young children.
Carlos Sanchez
On December 25 at 2:25 a.m., police responded to Sydney Avenue on a report of a stabbing. When they arrived on scene, officers found a 35-year-old female suffering from a stab wound to the upper torso.
An investigation revealed that Sanchez, who is known to the victim, stabbed her and then took her two young children and fled the scene. Authorities put out a “be on the lookout” (BOL) for Sanchez who was later found in an un-incorporated area of Watsonville.
When authorities attempted to contact Sanchez, he began to flee the area and led authorities from three different agencies – The Watsonville Police Department, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol – on a chase through the city of Watsonville and then northbound on Highway 1.
The chase ended in the area of Freedom Boulevard and Highway 1 and a brief standoff with law enforcement ensued. Sanchez was taken into custody a short time later and the children were found safe.
“When he did stop he would not get out of the vehicle,” Watsonville Police Sergeant Saul Gonzalez said. “As S.W.A.T and a hostage negotiator got to the scene he gave himself up peacefully.”
American Medical Response and Watsonville Fire Department personnel treated the victim for her injuries. She was eventually flown by helicopter to a Bay Area Trauma Center as her injuries were life threatening.
Sanchez was later transported to the Santa Cruz County Jail and booked on charges of attempted murder and child endangerment. His bail has been set at $500,000.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Bureau at 831-768-3350 or the Watsonville Police Anonymous Tip line at 768-3455.
Read More:
Register Pajaronian: Woman Stabbed, Suspect Flees with Two Kids
Examiner: Suspect Arrested in Christmas Morning Stabbing in Watsonville
