A standoff in north Santa Maria involving a suspect linked to road-rage incident ended after five hours on Saturday with a man under arrest, but not before he bashed in the windows of an empty California Highway Patrol vehicle. 

Santa Maria police officers assisting CHP officers looking into a reported road-rage incident encountered the suspect on the 200 block of East Orchard Street near Donovan Road.

The man refused to comply with orders and used his vehicle in a threatening manner, driving toward officers and other innocent bystanders, police said Sunday.

“While numerous officers were attempting to get him to surrender, the suspect armed himself with a metal object and began bashing in the windows of an unoccupied CHP vehicle, causing over $2,000 in damage,” police added. 

The Police Department’s armored rescue vehicle was utilized to immobilize the suspect’s vehicle to prevent him from ramming and driving at patrol vehicles. 

Although officers attempted to speak with the man to de-escalate the situation, he remained non-responsive and combative, police said.

A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) attempted to negotiate with the man, but he still remained unresponsive and repeatedly rammed his vehicle into the armored vehicle.. 

The Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) also responded to the scene.

“Eventually, the suspect emerged from his vehicle and threatened officers with a long metal blunt object he was holding in his hand,” police said. “The suspect was struck with sponge rounds in an attempt to get him to drop the weapon and gain compliance.”

When the man continued to advance on officers in a threatening manner, a police dog was utilized. 

“The suspect fought against the K9; however, this allowed for officers to safely approach and apprehend him. 

No officers were injured, and the suspect suffered minor injuries.

Police identified the suspect as Emilio Borrayo Chavez, 34, of Santa Maria.

He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, resisting officers with violence, and assault with a deadly weapon.

“The standoff with Chavez lasted over five hours, displacing multiple residents from their homes. The Santa Maria Police Department remains committed to public safety and utilizing sound tactics and tools to resolve these types of critical incidents with safety as the utmost priority for all involved,” police added.