Mariners school locked down while police search for suspect

Mariners Elementary School was on lockdown Wednesday morning during a search for a man suspected of possessing a stolen vehicle.

Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police responded about 8 a.m. near Irvine Avenue and 19th Street in Newport Beach after a report of a suspicious vehicle, according to Costa Mesa Police Lt. Rob Sharpnack.

Two suspects were found in a 1991 Volvo that was reported stolen Jan. 19 in Costa Mesa, Sharpnack said.

One was apprehended shortly after the call and another fled on foot toward Newport Beach.

The suspect is described as a black male wearing a blue flannel shirt and green pants.

Newport Beach police contacted Mariners and made sure all the children were inside classrooms, according to Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe. A Huntington Beach police helicopter was used in the search.

The search lasted about an hour and a half, according to Sharpnack. The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @JoannaClay