Essex County

Hit-and-run suspect arrested near West Newbury elementary school, police say

WEST NEWBURY, Mass. — A man was arrested near a West Newbury elementary school Tuesday morning, forcing the school into “secure mode” for the remainder of the day, according to authorities.

West Newbury Police say they responded to the Dr. John C Page School shortly after 10:30 a.m. for a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in the woods nearby that may have been involved in a car crash in Newburyport.

The car was found about 500 feet off the road into a wooded area by a person out for a walk, according to authorities. Police say the driver was sitting outside the car showing symptoms of exposure and hypothermia.

Officers immediately responded and secured the area, arresting the adult man outside the vehicle. His name has not been released.

The car is of interest in regards to two cases of property damage, the first of which occurred in Newburyport on Curzon Mill Road where a vehicle crashed through a gate on a property there, according to officials. Police say the second incident also involved a similar car driving through a gate on a municipally owned property on Emery Lane in West Newbury.

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said the school was placed in “secure mode” out of an abundance of caution, meaning no one was allowed in or out of the building.

“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,” Bartholomew wrote in a statement.

Officials say there is no danger to the school community and the school day is proceeding as scheduled, although students will be kept inside for the rest of the day.

Pre-K pickup, which is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. in front of the school, will also proceed as scheduled.

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