Press Release: Monterey County Sheriff's Deputies Arrest Subject That Stole Two Vehicles and Led Them on Vehicle Pursuit

DATE/TIME: 2/21/25 at 9:30 AM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, CHP and King City PD work together to Safely Arrest Subject That Stole Two Vehicles and Led Them on a Vehicle Pursuit

LOCATION: San Ardo / King City, California

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, California Highway Patrol and King City Police Officers worked together to safely end a vehicle pursuit and arrest a subject that had stolen two vehicles after vandalizing a home and battering a victim in San Ardo.

At about 12:45 AM on Friday February 21st, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 62000 block of Cattlemen Road in San Ardo for a reported domestic disturbance. The victim reported that Hugo Manuel Sanchez, age 34, had vandalized some property and stolen her vehicle which he used to flee the scene.

At about 2:15 AM, the victim called back and reported that Sanchez had returned and was being violent. Sanchez reportedly battered a neighbor and then proceeded to steal the victim’s second vehicle and fled the scene again.

At about 2:40 AM, a vigilant Monterey County Sheriff Sergeant saw a vehicle matching the description of the second stolen vehicle at a gas station on Broadway Avenue in King City. The vehicle was confirmed to be the stolen vehicle. The Sheriff’s Sergeant was able to coordinate with King City Police Officers to attempt a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle. When an attempt to stop the vehicle was made, the vehicle failed to yield and entered southbound Highway 101 at First Street. Further assistance was requested from the California Highway Patrol who were able to successfully deploy spike strips near Wild Hose Road, disabling the front tires of the vehicle. The vehicle continued failing to yield while driving on its bare front wheels until reaching the San Ardo exit. Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to intervene and stop the vehicle which became stuck in wet grass as it attempted to re-enter southbound Highway 101.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies and King City Police Officers were able to safely take Sanchez into custody without further incident.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “By working together with our partners at King City PD and the California Highway Patrol, we were able to ensure that no member of the public, peace officer or the suspect were injured. This was teamwork at its best.”

Hugo Manuel Sanchez was booked into the Monterey County Jail for numerous violations including Vehicle Theft, Evading a Peace Officer, Violation of a Court Order and Violation of Probation.