Crime & Safety
South Bay Man Allegedly Robs Woman At Hotel; Hwy 101 Pursuit Ends In Crash Near Hollister
BREAKING: The suspect, 47, reportedly warned victim to not follow him as he previously killed cop. His driver from Gilroy was also arrested.
MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – An ex-felon allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in a Salinas hotel room Monday night and then was involved in a pursuit that ended with a crash in Hollister, police said.
San Jose resident Richard Sanchez, 47, was arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, being a violent ex-felon in possession of firearm and other weapons-related crimes, according to police.
Sanchez allegedly robbed a 25-year-old woman who was alone at a hotel room on De La Torre Street around 8 p.m., police said.
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The woman, who was staying with a friend, heard someone knock on the door and answered to find a man later identified as Sanchez with a semi-automatic handgun, according to police.
He allegedly ordered the woman back in the room where he took her phone, iPad and ring, police said.
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Sanchez allegedly claimed he killed a police officer in the past and threatened to end the victim's life if she followed him outside, according to police.
The 25-year-old woman saw the man a short time later in another area of the city and notified law enforcement authorities.
Around 9 p.m., officers found the suspect in the area of northbound U.S. Highway 101 at Sala Road and tried to pull him over, but a chase began, according to police.
California Highway Patrol officers pursued the suspect vehicle that traveled to Hollister, where the driver lost control and crashed at Casa de Fruta Parkway, police said.
Sanchez was found in the vehicle with two other people, who were all placed in custody and taken to Salinas, according to police.
The suspect's driver was Daniel Ramos, 24, of Gilroy, who was arrested on suspicion of evading from officers, robbery and conspiracy, police said.
A woman also found in the vehicle was later released, according to police.
No injuries were reported in the crash, police said.
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--Bay City News/Photos via Salinas PD
