San Diego

Suspect Search Forces Elementary School into Lockdown on 1st Day of Classes

Three suspects were taken into custody after allegedly leading police on a pursuit to San Diego State University, forcing a nearby elementary school into a brief lockdown on its first day of classes, police said. 

The chase started in downtown San Diego when a driver in a suspected stolen white Prius did not stop for police but instead took off northbound on state Route 163, the San Diego Police Department said. 

After a pursuit on highways and city streets, the driver eventually stopped the car near San Diego State University's Tony Gwynn Stadium and the Aztec Aquaplex. Three people inside the car took off on foot, fleeing into a canyon behind the stadium, SDPD said. 

The canyon was less than a mile from Hardy Elementary School, which was placed on lockdown as a precaution during their first day of classes, police said. 

Thousands of college students were also attending their first day of classes when an alert was sent out from school officials warning them to avoid the area. 

The vehicle's passengers were quickly taken into custody but the man identified as the driver was not compliant so a K9 was sent after him, SDPD said. The man was detained and taken into to a hospital for treatment.

SDPD said the driver has a "significant" violent criminal history but no other information was provided.

It is not clear what charges the suspects will be facing. 

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