Man Arrested After Assault at School in Solvang

Santa Ynez- April 14th, 2010

A 20-year old Solvang man is facing several felony charges after attacking a woman at an elementary school in Solvang, stealing her car, and speeding down Highway 154 before crashing into two other vehicles about three miles north of Santa Barbara.

At approximately 1:32pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Sheriff’s Deputies were alerted to an attack at Solvang School on the 500 Block of Atterdag Road in Solvang. The 20-year old suspect reportedly hit a woman with a skateboard before stealing her car keys and driving off in the victim’s car (Mazda).

At about the same time, a Sheriff’s deputy spotted a car driving erratically on Highway 246 near Santa Ynez High School. The suspect would speed up and drive erratically; at times crossing into oncoming traffic. The deputy kept the vehicle within view as the suspect turned onto Highway 154. At this point California Highway Patrol officers, SBSO deputies and Sheriff’s Copter-1 were deployed.

The suspect continued driving at a high rate of speed on Highway 154 toward Santa Barbara, crossing double yellow lines and weaving through traffic. Law enforcement vehicles pulled back while Sheriff’s Copter-1 kept the suspect vehicle in view.

At approximately 1:51pm the suspect side-swiped another vehicle when he swerved into the opposite lane. He then smashed head-on into a pickup driven an 86-year old man from Ventura County. The female driver in the first vehicle was transported by ambulance with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup did not suffer any serious injuries.

Zachary Edward Ulrick (DOB 3/13/90), who suffered some cuts, was arrested at the scene and faces several felony charges. After being medically evaluated he was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for Robbery (211PC-Felony), Assault with a deadly weapon (245PC-Felony), Car theft (10851 VC-Felony), Criminal threat (422 PC-Felony), Reckless driving (23103VC-Misdemeanor), Evading a peace officer (2800.1VC-Felony), Battery (242PC-Misdemeanor). Bail is set at $100,000.

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