Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect on Tuesday afternoon, following a five-hour standoff near Santa Maria, according to the Sheriff's Office.

At 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to the 400-block of Ray Road after receiving reports of a man brandishing and threatening a victim with a machete.

When deputies arrived, the suspect, 48-year-old Nazario Gonzalez of Santa Maria, reportedly retreated into a residence and refused to come out.

Deputies quickly evacuated nearby residents as a precaution and confirmed that Gonzalez was the sole occupant of the home. Specialized resources, including the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Special Enforcement Team, K9 Unit, and County Air Support, responded to assist.

Santa Maria Police, Lompoc Police and California Highwa

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