HUNTINGTON BEACH police vehicle (HBPD).

Two persons were arrested and a third one is sought in connection with an attempted robbery in Huntington Beach that triggered the lockdown of one school and a “shelter-in-place” response at another on Wednesday.

According to the HBPD, the incident began when an employee at a wholesale store called police to report a “suspicious vehicle” in the store’s parking lot. The vehicle was believed to be connected to a vehicle burglary earlier in the day in another city.

With officers on their way, the employee called again, reporting that the suspects had just attempted to rob a customer in the lot.
An undercover agent found the suspect vehicle and when an attempt was made to detain the occupants the vehicle raced through the lot “at high speed.”

A patrol officer arrived and the fleeing car crashed with the front of the patrol unit, disabling the suspect’s car.

Three suspects then fled on foot in different directions and two were quickly found. A third suspect was not located.

In what police called “an abundance of caution,” Ocean View High School was placed on “lockdown” and Oak View Elementary School was placed on a brief order for students and staff to remain where they were.

Detectives are seeking to identify the suspects and learn whether the vehicle was involved in other crimes.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Anthony Pham at (714) 878-5640.