Armed robbery at Salinas hotel leads to car chase

The Salinas Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that led to a car chase.

It started when a 25-year-old woman was alone inside a hotel room on De La Torre and someone knocked on the door. When she opened it, a man with a gun ordered her into the room. He took her phone, iPad and a ring.

The suspect told her he had a killed a police officer and would kill her too if she tried to follow him out, but the victim later saw the suspect in another area of town and called police.Officers attempted a traffic stop on northbound 101 at Sala Road, but the driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. It continued all the way into and through Hollister before it was passed off to California Highway Patrol units. The driver eventually lost control and crashed near Casa de Fruta.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Daniel Ramos of Gilroy. He was booked into Monterey County Jail for felony evading, robbery and conspiracy.

47-year-old Richard Sanchez of San Jose was also in the vehicle. He was booked into Monterey County Jail for robbery, conspiracy, being a violent ex-felon in possession of a firearm and other weapons charges.

A woman in the vehicle was later released without charges.