Schools locked down as police search for man north of Phoenix
Sep 12, 2017, 12:07 PM | Updated: 2:33 pm
(Facebook Photos)
PHOENIX — At least two schools were locked down for a short time Tuesday as police searched for a wanted felon in a town northwest of Phoenix, officials said.
The Wickenburg Police Department said 25-year-old Mark Facio allegedly tried to steal a car from the Shell station near milepost 112 on U.S. 60 before running off into the Hassayampa River bed.
He was caught and arrested about 12:30 p.m.
Police searched the nearby area on Monday night after Facio allegedly drove away from a welfare check at the same gas station.
Facio was traveling with a woman and a child who police do not believe was related to him.
“The female passenger was very cooperative with officers, however, the male passenger (Facio) was very uncooperative,” Lt. Amy Sloane said. “He actually took off in the vehicle in a very erratic manner that put our officers in serious danger.”
Officers later found the vehicle a short way down the road. The woman and child were inside and safe.
Sloane said Hassayampa Elementary School and a daycare facility were put on lockdown as a precaution. They were on lockdown for more than an hour.
Businesses in the area were also notified via reverse 911.
Facio, who was wanted on warrants out of New Mexico, was considered armed and dangerous.
Wickenburg is about an hour’s drive from Phoenix.
KTAR News’ Ali Vetnard contributed to this report.