By Robin GOLDSWORTHY and Mary O’KEEFE

On Wednesday afternoon, deputies patrolling the area arrested a man who had entered Crescenta Valley High School causing a shutdown and evacuation.

“One of our deputies saw someone who matched the [man’s] description in the 3500 block of Foothill Boulevard in Glendale,” said Sgt. John Gilbert.

The man was found inside Starbucks about 3 p.m. He was detained and a witness from CVHS was brought to the location.

“The witness positively identified this was the person who was in the school. A search of [his person and bag] didn’t reveal any weapons, drugs or devices,” Gilbert said.

The man was arrested for trespassing. No motive has yet to be established, and the investigating is ongoing.

The incident started late Wednesday morning when law enforcement responded to a call by the CVHS resource officer of a suspicious person possibly on the school campus. The unknown man, carrying a large duffel bag, had gained access to the high school campus, causing the campus to initiate a shelter-in-place. According to school superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian, the decision was precautionary and no threats had been made to the campus.

“There have been no threats made, the shelter-in-place is out of an abundance of caution because we take the safety of the students very seriously,” said GUSD Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian.

But as time passed and the directive had not been canceled, students were told to “ignore the bell” when it rang signaling lunch break and class change and instead to remain sheltered in place.

According to Sgt. Gilbert of the CV Sheriff’s Station, extra patrols from neighboring stations, including from Altadena, were on scene searching for the individual. A helicopter was also flying overhead to assist in the search.

Soon after the streets adjacent to the high school, including Ramsdell and Community avenues, were closed to vehicular traffic. For a short time La Crescenta Avenue was also shut down to northbound traffic and La Crescenta Elementary School undertook a position of shelter-in-place.

About 12:50 p.m. the high school students were released in an “orderly dismissal” at the gate in the 4300 block of Ramsdell Avenue. The students were directed to the parking lot at Highlands Church, located at Dyer and Mary streets. Before being released, they would first go through a check-out process with their emergency contact information. Tables were set up at the parking lot to facilitate this.

 Once most of the students were off the campus, according to CV Sheriff’s Station captain Robert Hahnlein, “We will be doing a systematic search of the school. Our helicopter will also be above the school assisting us.”

After the initial search, Hahnlein said that it was thought that the individual was no longer on the campus “but CV Sheriff’s Station personnel will sweep the campus to be sure.”

K-9 Units were also called in to facilitate with the search but the individual was not located.

The students seemed to be calm and in good spirits – though hungry as the shelter-in-place extended through the lunch hour. Families were obviously relieved to be reunited with their students.

CV High School principal Christine Benitez sent out a notice to the high school community.

“I know that the process today may have been traumatizing for some of our students,” she wrote in part. “Please take a minute tonight and talk with your student about today’s events. We will have counselors on campus over the next few days for any students or staff who need to talk to someone.”

CV Town Council president Chris Kilpatrick was one of the concerned adults who went to the high school.

“We are glad that everyone was safe and that the end result was positive,” he said.