Schools lock down during manhunt
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Two Moorpark school campuses were on lockdown for about an hour Monday morning while authorities searched for several suspects who were allegedly involved in a residential burglary in the 12000 block of Sunnyglen Drive.

Deputies arrested five teenagers in connection with the incident, including 18-year-old Jesse Zelaya of Simi Valley and four male juveniles from Moorpark.

"The homeowner came home and saw three people inside the house," said Sgt. Will Hammer of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. An acquaintance of the resident attempted to chase the suspects, who fled into the surrounding area.

Since the culprits were being pursued in the vicinity of two schools, Moorpark High and Mountain Meadows Elementary were secured as a precaution, Superintendent Ellen Smith said.

Two men doing construction work on the new building at Mountain Meadows said they saw two individuals crossing the grassy field on the elementary school campus, and then jumping the fence onto Tierra Rejada. Students were not on the playground when the incident occurred, said Principal Del Carbine in an e-mail message to parents.

Once it was determined the suspects were no longer in the area, the school reopened for lunch, he said.

The lockdown process was very efficient and teachers were handling the situation very well, said Smith.

"We lock campuses down when authorities advise us to do so," she said.

Zelaya was booked at the East County Jail and the juveniles were cited and released to their parents.