Deputies are scouring the side of the Golden State Freeway in Valencia in search of evidence, a sheriff’s station official confirmed Monday morning.
The search is in connection with an earlier incident which led to the lockdown of California Institute of the Arts also in Valencia.
The timeline of events began in the Calgrove area of Newhall, just east of Interstate 5 at about 4:30 a.m., according to Sgt. Tim Vander Leek of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Patrol deputies responding to a report of a possible vehicle burglary came across two vehicles conducting suspicious activity in the same neighborhood, Vander Leek said.
The deputies immediately detained one of the two vehicles, but one car fled from the scene westbound on Calgrove Boulevard and eventually entered northbound Interstate 5.
Another patrol car followed the vehicle onto the freeway, but did not initiate a pursuit, the sergeant said.
The vehicle containing three men yielded near the offramp to McBean Parkway. One of the passengers exited the car and fled on foot east of the freeway.
A detailed description of the man was shared with nearby Santa Clarita area sheriff’s units within minutes, the sergeant said. California Institute of the Arts was locked down as a precaution.
A patrol deputy searching the area captured the fugitive about an hour later, Vander Leek said.
Investigators believe the fugitive may have abandoned evidence in the area and as of 11:30 a.m. were actively working to confirm the possibility.
This story is still developing and will be updated as more information is received and vetted.