Crime & Safety

Man Arrested After Assault That Landed Woman In ER, Police Say

The man threatened to stab the woman with his hypodermic needle after she saw him inject drugs and confronted him, police say.

SANTA CRUZ, CA β€” Santa Cruz Police police officers have arrested a Santa Cruz County man who seriously injured a woman's head and face during a confrontation, sending her to the emergency room, police said.

Esteban Sanchez, 25, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery, terrorist threats and mayhem.

The arrest dates back to an assault Wednesday in the 800 block of River Street in Santa Cruz. A woman was washing her car in her driveway and saw two men injecting drugs. She exchanged words with the men and one of them threatened to stab her with his hypodermic needle, police said.

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Sanchez walked up to her and struck her with his hands and feet, police said. She tried to fight back and retreated into her yard as he fled the scene, police said.

She was eventually treated at a local emergency room. Officers identified Sanchez and arrested him this week.

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Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call investigators at 831-420-5820.

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