Elementary School in Los Gatos Cancels Class Due to Ongoing Search for Bank Robber

LOS GATOS, CA -- Lexington Elementary School, which was placed on lockdown by sheriff's officials at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, canceled class on Friday as a safety precaution due to an ongoing search for a bank robbery suspect, Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent Diana Abbati told parents at 6:50 a.m. today.

At 11:16 a.m. yesterday, locals were told to avoid the area or shelter in place. At some point during Thursday's incident, a Scotts Valley police officer shot at the suspect, but it was unclear if he was hit.

The suspect is described as Hispanic with a thin build and groomed facial hair. He stands about 5 foot 9 inches tall and was wearing a black jacket, dark jeans and a black mask at the time of the robbery.

Highway 17 was closed in both directions until after 8 p.m. Thursday due in part to the search.

Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies are continuing to comb the Santa Cruz Mountains for the man, who robbed a bank in Scotts Valley on Thursday and then fled north on state Highway 17, sheriff's officials said.

Search efforts have been focused around the rural community of Redwood Estates, near the Lexington Reservoir.

The suspect was seen overnight in the area of Aldercroft Heights and Locust Drive, sheriff's officials said around 2 a.m.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock