A five-hour standoff with a man who allegedly brandished a machete west of Santa Maria ended with the subject in custody Tuesday afternoon.

Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and others responded at approximately 10:15 a.m. to the 400 block of Ray Road between West Main Street and Sinton Road, said spokesperson Raquel Zick.

Deputies quickly evacuated nearby residents as a precaution and confirmed the suspect, Nazario Gonzalez, 48, of Santa Maria was the sole occupant of the home. 

“For several hours, deputies worked to negotiate a peaceful resolution; however, the suspect refused to comply. At approximately 3:20 p.m., deputies deployed chemical agents and took the suspect into custody,” Zick said.

Authorities evacuated fewer than five residents from the property, she added.

The area is mostly surrounded by farm fields with Santa Maria’s wastewater treatment plant also located nearby.

Roadways in the area remained open and there was no other impacts to the surrounding area, she added. 

A county Air Support Unit helicopter circled overhead to assist law enforcement officers on the ground during the law enforcement operation Tuesday.

Specialized resources, including the sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Special Enforcement Team, K9 Unit, and County Air Support, responded to assist. 

Members of the Santa Maria Police, Lompoc Police and California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

Gonzalez will be booked at the Northern Branch Jail, with charges and bail to be determined, Zick said.