Schools put on lockdown during police search

Schools in Canyon Hills attended by Canyon Lake children were put on lockdown Monday morning while police unsuccessfully searched for a suspect who fled after a car chase.

After Riverside County Sheriff’s SWAT, K-9 Unit, and Aviation Unit arrived on the scene and conducted an extensive check of the surrounding area for the suspect, the schools were reopened. The suspect was not located.

The scare occurred after deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Railroad Canyon Road and Canyon Hills Road just outside of Canyon Lake regarding a stolen vehicle out of Long Beach.

Deputies located the stolen car that was traveling on Railroad Canyon Road and attempted an enforcement stop at which time a pursuit was initiated, police said. The vehicle turned into the Canyon Hills community before stopping on Mistflower Court where the suspect exited his vehicle and fled on foot into a ravine behind the community.

Across Canyon Hills Road from Mistflower Court is Canyon Lake Middle School and Cottonwood Canyon Elementary School, both of which were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Once the search for the suspect was exhausted, police said the lockdown was lifted.

Riverside County Sheriff Sergeant Veronica Amparano said the incident remains under investigation and there’s no threat to the public.