Nevada City School of the Arts was in lockdown for 30 minutes from 12:30 to 1:00p.m. today at the request of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department as a burglary suspect was believed to be on the loose in the area. Kentucky Flat Community Pre-school  was also locked down as a precaution.  Nevada County Sheriff’s Deputies and a CHP canine unit tracked the burglary suspect from the Empress road area and the NID ditch towards Nevada City School of the Arts. The suspect was described as a white male, 20 to 25 years old, wearing a white t-shirt and sporting neck tattoos.

Nevada City School of the arts Principal Holly Pettitt says the children behaved beautifully, exactly as they have practiced and remained in their rooms until the all clear was sounded. Pettitt says Parents who were there to pick up their children on this early release day were ushered into the building.

click to hear Holly Pettitt

Pettitt says she appreciates the quick action by the sheriff’s Department.

click to hear Holly Pettitt

Nevada City School of the Arts is a Transitional Kindergarten through 8th Grade Charter School located on Bittney Springs Road with 319 enrolled students.

Sheriff’s office says an as yet unidentified suspect is in custody.