Search for suspect leads to lockdown of Centerton schools

CENTERTON -- West High School can check off another first: Its first lockdown.

The lockdown lasted about 45 minutes Tuesday morning as police officers and school administrators scoured the building for a man suspected of entering the school at least twice earlier in the day, according to a School District news release.

A man entered the school's field house during the night or early morning and apparently removed items. Centerton police were notified at 7:35 a.m. and begin searching the school for a suspicious person, according to the release.

Officials reviewing video surveillance footage discovered later in the morning the man had entered the school again prior to classes starting. Officials initiated a lockdown to facilitate the search.

Centerton Gamble Elementary School, about half a mile north of the high school, also was locked down.

The review of surveillance footage continued during the lockdown until it was discovered the man had left the school shortly after entering, according to the release.

"But until we could verify that, we did a small lockdown to make sure all students and staff were safe," said Cody Harper, police chief.

The intruder wasn't found. Harper described him as a white man in his 50s or 60s with gray hair and a shaggy beard. The man most likely was homeless, he said. He took some food and a sweatshirt from the school, Harper said.

West High School opened in August. It has about 1,200 students in grades nine through 11.

NW News on 12/07/2016

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