Arizona Machete Suspect Arrested in San Jose

A Deputy U.S. Marshal says a man wanted in connection with a machete attack in northern Arizona has been arrested in San Jose, after he eventually surrendered - but only after he had tried to escape through a ceiling panel.

Marshal spokesman Joseph Palmer told NBC Bay Area on Friday that Luis Leyvas Sanchez was taken into custody Wednesday evening at an apartment complex in the 3200 block of Pearl Avenue.

Sanchez surrendered to the SWAT team, but only after he had barricaded himself inside the apartament, and at one point, had tried to escape into the next apartment through the ceiling, Palmer said.

Flagstaff police say Sanchez was wanted on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder in an attack last December. They say the victim suffered severe injuries, but survived.

A co-defendant was arrested shortly after the incident, but Sanchez eluded capture.


Authorities say they recently learned that Sanchez was hiding out in the San Jose area.

Authorities didn't immediately know Thursday if Sanchez had legal representation yet and when he might be extradited to Flagstaff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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