School Locked Down as Cops Chase Suspect

Portola Hills Elementary School was locked down Tuesday afternoon after Orange County Sheriff deputies chased a man driving an allegedly stolen vehicle who then fled on foot.

The man, Christopher Perez, 30, of Riverside County, was captured about 5 1/2 hours after the chase began, according to Lt. Tim Rainwater of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

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As deputies set up a perimeter to search for the man, which included helicopters and bloodhounds, the elementary school was locked down. About an hour later, students were released to their parents under the supervision of law enforcement and school staff.

The man was captured about 5:40 p.m. after a resident spotted him jumping a backyard fence. Keller said the man did struggle with deputies but it was unknown if he or anyone else was injured, though medics were not called to the scene.