SPENCER — Two area schools were in lockdown for two hours earlier today following a break-in in the Spencer area.
“We had a call about a breaking and entering in progress and they gave a suspect vehicle,” said Spencer Police Chief Michael James.
James said a Spencer Public Works employee noticed “something didn’t look right,” and alerted law enforcement.
A Spencer Police officer located the suspects’ vehicle and three people are now in custody. Police are searching for other suspects at this time. A foot chase ensued and three people were arrested.
As a precaution, North Rowan High School was placed on a code red lockdown, while North Rowan Middle School was placed on a code yellow lockdown, both at 11 a.m., but it was lifted at 1 p.m., said school system spokeswoman Rita Foil.
During a code red, classes are stopped and students are gathered in a central location. No one is allowed to enter or leave the buildings, according to the school system’s policy.
During a code yellow all of the doors to the school are locked and secured. The students do not leave the building and there are no outside activities, but classes continue as usual.
North Rowan High was reduced to a code yellow lockdown prior to the lockdown being lifted.
Principals of those schools were able to notify parents of the lockdown via Connect-ED, the school system’s automated phone messaging system.
Check back for further details.