East Palo Alto Man Accused In Deputy Attack, Attempted Kidnapping

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A man arrested Thursday in unincorporated Redwood City is accused of attempting to kidnap a cafe worker and violently attacking a deputy before he was taken into custody.

In a news release Friday, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said deputies saw a man trying to "deliberately cause traffic hazards" by targeting vehicles around 4:15 p.m. on the 2700 block of El Camino Real.

When a deputy approached the man, investigators said he was attacked and suffered injuries to the face that required medical care at a nearby hospital. The suspect was also injured and taken to the hospital before he was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility.

The sheriff's office said investigators learned the man had been involved in a crime spree leading up to the assault, committing a robbery and burglary before trying to abduct a staff member at a coffee shop.

"This incident underscores the bravery and dedication of our law enforcement personnel in ensuring the safety of our community despite the risks they may face," the sheriff's office wrote Friday. "We appreciate their commitment to upholding the law and protecting our residents."

Officials identified the suspect Friday as Nicholas Ibarra, 35, of East Palo Alto. He is accused of multiple crimes including attempted kidnapping, commercial burglary, mayhem, robbery, aggravated assault on a deputy, resisting an officer, and committing a felony while released on bail.