Full Notification

On 12-14-19, at about 1:23 am, Santa Maria Police Department Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of W. Donovan Rd. regarding an assault that had just occurred. Officers arrived and contacted the female juvenile victim at a nearby residence who relayed that an adult male resident of the house, Hugo Garcia Ramirez (40 yrs.), had just attempted to assault her. During the assault, the suspect also used a firearm to make threats against her. The victim, who was uninjured, eventually escaped through the rear of the house and made it to a nearby residence where police were then notified.

All indications were that the suspect was still inside the residence so the Santa Maria Police Department and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department SWAT teams, as well as members of SMPD Crisis Negotiation Team, were deployed to attempt to apprehend the suspect. The Santa Maria Fire Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Air Support Unit were also part of this operation.

After several hours, the SWAT Teams made tactical entries into the residence and into a vehicle in the driveway, however Ramirez was not located inside. It is believed he escaped prior to the initial police response.

Hugo Garcia Ramirez (40 years of age/Santa Maria) is currently wanted by police for several felonies and is considered to be armed and dangerous. There is a felony warrant for his arrest and the Santa Maria Police Department urges anyone with information as to his whereabouts to contact the police department at (805) 928-3781, ext. 2277.

Detective Sergeant Jesus Valle
Santa Maria PD