Rowan County Sheriff (Photo credit: ynkefan1)
RFP Staff
♦North Rowan High School, North Rowan Middle School, and North Rowan Elementary all were on lockdown at noon today according to parents. North Rowan High was under a code red lockdown meaning that no one was allowed in and out of the building and students can not move freely within the building. Students were brought to a central area according to school system lockdown policy. The lockdowns were the result of the Spencer Police responding to a burglary in progress on Pinecroft Lane several blocks from the North Rowan Campus.
According to the NBC affiliate station in Charlotte: “The lockdowns are due to a breaking and entering near the 3 school campuses by 5 male suspects. 3 of the suspects were taken into custody. Two others are still on the loose. The Spencer Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department were on the scene. At this time none of the suspect’s identities have been released. An SUV, driven by the suspects, crashed by North Rowan High. The vehicle was impounded by the Spencer Police before being towed from the scene.”
The suspects are alleged to be part of a local burglary ring and attempted to flee the scene on foot, but were shortly apprehended by Spencer Police with Rowan County Sheriffs as back up. The impounded vehicle contained electronics, a TV, and a number of items believed taken from a nearby home.
North Rowan Middle and Elementary Schools were participating in a “code yellow” lockdown. Only parents of students were permitted in the buildings. Parents were notified by an automated phone messaging system. The lockdown ended at approximately 1 P.M. All 3 schools are on the Spencer’s North side, between Charles and Whitehead streets, a short distance from U.S. 29 and U.S. 70.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
