Cambridge Man Charged After Alleged Assault, Barricade Ends in Peaceful Surrender

CAMBRIDGE, Md. — A Cambridge man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he assaulted a woman, barricaded himself inside a home and surrendered peacefully following a two-hour standoff Sunday morning.

According to the Cambridge Police Department, officers met with a woman at the police department around 5:42 a.m. Sunday after she reported being assaulted at a residence in the 600 block of School House Lane.

Police said the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Alberto Pacheco Santana Jr. of Cambridge, allegedly entered the home and repeatedly struck the victim before grabbing her by the neck and strangling her. A juvenile inside the residence intervened, allowing the victim to escape with the juveniles to a vehicle.

Investigators said Santana then prevented the victim from leaving by blocking the vehicle’s door and walking alongside the moving vehicle. Police said he slammed the vehicle’s door with enough force to deploy the airbag, causing additional injuries to the victim. The woman was able to drive away safely and reported the incident to police before being treated at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Dorchester.

Officers responding to the residence found the front door open and attempted to make contact with Santana. Police said they observed him through a second-floor window, but he refused to come outside and locked the home’s door while officers tried to communicate with him.

The Cambridge Police Department activated its Special Response Team, Criminal Investigation Division, K-9 Unit, Negotiations Team and Drone Team. Members of the Talbot County Crisis Response Team, made up of personnel from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Easton Police Department, also responded to assist.

During negotiations, police said Santana falsely claimed he was at another location in the 400 block of Skinners Court, prompting officers to investigate before determining the information was inaccurate.

While investigators prepared search and arrest warrants, negotiators re-established contact with Santana by phone. He surrendered without incident at approximately 7:46 a.m.

Santana was transported to the Cambridge Police Department for processing before appearing before a court commissioner. He was later committed to the Dorchester County Department of Corrections without bond.

He is charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and obstructing and hindering.