Suspect arrested near Oak Meadows; school remains open

Red star shows location where the suspect vehicle crashed, a few blocks from Oak Meadows Elementary School (green star) in the early morning hours on Friday. One suspect was eventually taken into custody before school opened.

Murrieta Police officials said there is no danger to residents of the Mapleton community and a nearby school remains open after a suspect was taken into custody Friday morning.

Parents of students at Oak Meadows Elementary School, 28600 Poinsettia St., were notified that the school would remain open and there was no danger to students. This announcement was made about the time school was to begin, as the police activity was concluding, said Betti Cadmus, spokesperson for the Menifee Union School District.

Police confirmed that a vehicle with two suspects believed to be involved in car burglaries was pursued by officers in the Mapleton area about 3:30 a.m. Friday. The suspect vehicle crashed at the dead end of Keller Road near Hydrangea Street and Verbena Avenue, a few blocks from the school. Both suspects fled.

At daylight, with the help of a police helicopter, officers searched a large open field and located a handgun believed to belong to the suspects. With the help of a police dog, one suspect was located and taken into custody. The second suspect has not been found, but police believe he is no longer in the immediate area.

"The police department informed us that all is clear and there is no danger to those in the area," Cadmus said.

No officers were injured in the incident. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident should call the Murrieta Police Department at 951-696-3615.