Armed Robbery At Belleville Secretary Of State Causes School Lock-In
BELLEVILLE (WWJ) - An armed robbery at the Secretary of State's office in Belleville Thursday prompted school officials to take precautions.
Following the incident, a lock-in was in place Belleville High School, South Lake Middle School, Edgemont Elementary and the Early Childhood Development Center.
A "lock-in" means all the schools' outside doors are locked, other than the main doors. Staff members are watching the main doors to make sure no one who is not supposed to be in the school comes in.
During a lock-in, no one is allowed to leave the schools, but parents are allowed to enter.
Local business rep Eddie Smith told WWJ he had to calm his wife after she learned that police were looking for someone who robbed the office.
"I got a call from my wife and she said there was a lockdown at the school and she was freaking out a little bit," said Smith. "I told her that's OK, it's a good thing. You know, because that way whoever this bad person was they're not going to get into the school, so they're going to be OK."
Police were reportedly talking to a person of interest in connection with the robbery, but no arrests had been made. The Secretary of State's office on Sumpter Road said no employees were hurt.
