UPDATE (5:15 p.m.) – Lakeview Junior High School in Orcutt was placed on a brief, precautionary lockdown Tuesday while sheriff’s deputies searched for a wanted man.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle in the 5000 block of Orcutt Rd. just after 9 a.m.
The driver, identified as Tyler Phillips, 28, of Santa Maria, reportedly had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Sheriff’s officials say Phillips drove off during the traffic stop, ditched the car nearby, then attempted to flee the area on a bicycle.
A school resource deputy reportedly spotted Phillips riding the bicycle on Orcutt Rd., just a few blocks from the junior high school. The school was locked down as a result.
Sheriff’s officials say Phillips was eventually taken into custody in the backyard of a home on Siler Ln. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and providing false information to a peace officer. He is being held on $45,000 bail.
The lockdown was lifted after about 15 minutes.
(9:47 a.m.) – Lakeview Junior High in Orcutt was placed on a brief lockdown Tuesday morning.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says the lockdown was precautionary while authorities looked for a suspect with warrants in the area of the school, which is located on the 3700 block of Orcutt Road.
The suspect was taken into custody and the lockdown lifted a short time later, officials say.
The sheriff’s office says more information will be released later in the day.
