Theft and Felony Eluding Suspect Sought

At around 4:39PM, officers were dispatched to the 6800 blk S 180th St after receiving a report that a shoplifting suspect had displayed a weapon and fled in a vehicle with unpaid merchandise.

Officers spotted the vehicle fleeing the area but did not pursue it as it did not meet the criteria to pursue per HB1054.

Other officers responding to assist located the suspect vehicle that appeared to be having mechanical issues as it got onto 518 where it ultimately broke down. The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot northbound onto Southcenter Blvd and then proceeded towards Thorndyke Elementary School. The school which had children present for summer programs at the time was immediately placed on lockdown as a precaution while the area was searched.

A Des Moines Officer with a UAS and a K-9 officers responded to assist with the search for the suspect. The suspect is believed to have fled north of 144th. He was not located and the search was called off at 6PM.