Cambridge Man Arrested After Hours-Long Standoff Following Assault

Cambridge, MD - A Cambridge man is facing serious charges after police say he assaulted a woman and then barricaded himself inside a home for hours. The incident happened early Sunday morning in the 600 block of School House Lane in Cambridge, Maryland.

According to Cambridge Police, officers met with the victim at the police department around 5:42 a.m. She told officers that a man, identified as 35-year-old Alberto Pacheco Santana Jr. of Cambridge, had just assaulted her.

Police say Santana entered the residence and approached the victim before striking her multiple times with a closed fist. He then allegedly grabbed her by the neck with both hands and began to strangle her.

A juvenile inside the home was able to step in and help the victim get free. She then ran outside to a vehicle with the juveniles, trying to escape the area.

As she tried to leave, police say Santana blocked the car door and kept pace with the vehicle as she attempted to drive off. He then allegedly slammed the door hard enough to trigger the airbag, causing additional injury to the victim.

The victim was able to safely leave and drive herself to the police department. Officers observed injuries consistent with her account, and she was later treated at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Dorchester.

When officers arrived at the home, they found the front door open. They spotted a man through a second-floor window, but he locked the door and would not come out.

Cambridge Police's Special Response Team, Criminal Investigation Division, K9 Unit, Negotiations Team, and Drone Team all responded to set up a perimeter. The Talbot County Crisis Response Team, made up of the Talbot County Sheriff's Office and Easton Police Department, also assisted.

Negotiators eventually reached Santana by phone. He reportedly gave officers false information, claiming to be at a home in the 400 block of Skinners Court. Officers checked that location and confirmed it was not accurate.

While investigators worked on search and arrest warrants, negotiators made contact with Santana again. This time, he agreed to surrender and walked out of the home around 7:46 a.m. without further incident.

Santana was taken to the Cambridge Police Department for processing. He appeared before a court commissioner and was then turned over to the Dorchester County Department of Corrections on no bond.

He faces charges of Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment, and Obstructing and Hindering.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.