Page School in West Newbury Placed in Secure Mode after Vehicle Found in Woods, Suspect in Custody
WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Emily Puteri report that the Dr. John C. Page School was placed in secure mode after a suspicious vehicle was found parked in the woods near the school.
West Newbury Police and Fire responded to the school shortly after 10:30 for a report of a vehicle parked in the woods near the school. West Newbury Police noted immediately that the vehicle’s description matched the description of a vehicle wanted out of Newburyport that may have been involved in a motor vehicle crash in that city.
Out of an abundance of caution, the school was placed in secure mode, meaning no one was allowed to enter or leave the building.
Police responded, secured the area, and located an adult male inside the vehicle. The man was placed in custody, and crews are working to remove the vehicle from the woods. The Newburyport Police Department has been notified.
Pre-K pickup, scheduled for 11:15 at the front of the building, will proceed as scheduled. Parents are advised to come to the front of the building like usual and that no cars will be permitted in the back — or to drive around the building — due to the ongoing emergency response.
There is no danger to the school community. The school day is proceeding as scheduled, but students will be kept inside for the remainder of the school day.
The established school safety and security policies in place in the Pentucket Regional School District were followed, and police, fire and school officials are all in contact with each other.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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