Standoff between deputies and alleged kidnapping suspect ends with arrest

UPDATED 3:01p.m.: Police said the area near Economy Inn is clear and safe to the public. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said Sanchez is in custody after a short standoff. Friends of the suspect said he had been staying at the motel.

UPDATED 2:41p.m.: Deputies report suspect Hugo Sanchez is in custody. He was arrested at Economy Inn.

UPDATED 1:56p.m.: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said deputies are trying arrest alleged kidnapping suspect, Hugo Sanchez, who is currently barricaded in an attic inside Economy Inn in Watsonville. Watsonville police and the Joint Gang Task Force are helping.

Deputies said they know where Sanchez is located but haven’t been able to make an arrest.

UPDATED 1:06p.m.: Watsonville police said they are helping the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office with a barricaded person inside Economy Inn on Auto Center Drive. Deputies said the person is Hugo Sanchez, wanted for an alleged kidnapping on Monday night.

Police are asking the public to avoid the area around the motel. NewsChannel 5 will continue to report any additional information.

PREVIOUS STORY: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies are searching for a suspect in an alleged kidnapping incident on Monday night. A ‘be on the lookout’ alert has been issued for suspect Hugo Oviedo Sanchez, 26, of Watsonville. Deputies said Sanchez and a female passenger were in a car idling in a rural area of Monterey County but sped off during a vehicle check.

A high-speed pursuit began, reaching over 120 miles per hour. Deputies said the pursuit was later called off for safety reasons. Moments later the car was located with the female inside and Sanchez ran from the scene. Deputies said they discovered during their investigation the female had been kidnapped and the suspect drove around with the victim in her car for almost two hours.

Sanchez has a suspended driver’s license and a restraining order against him preventing contact with the victim. Deputies are asking anyone with information on Sanchez to call the Sheriff’s Office or Sgt. Brian Pickens at (831)755-3722.