Police Lockdown Crooked Billet

was locked down for eight minutes Thursday afternoon, a school administrator told Patch.

Superintendent Curtis Griffin told Patch that the lockdown - from 1:25 p.m. to 1:33 p.m. - was done at the behest of Montgomery County dispatch. 

At no time were students or staff put in danger, Griffin said.

Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner said the police were searching for Jason Potts, 24, of Hatboro, who had failed to appear in court on a burglary charge. Potts, who Gardner said had been seen near the footbridge in the Livingstone Apartment complex, 240 E. County Line Road, shortly after 1 p.m., had fled when approached by a police officer. 

"When ordered to stop he ran into the woods located in the rear of the Crooked Billet Elementary School," Gardner wrote in an email to Patch. "Officers gave foot chase and a perimeter was established in the area with the assistance of Horsham  Police and Upper Moreland Police. As the wanted subject ran towards Crooked Billet School and was on their property, the school was advised to lock down for a short time as a precaution."

Potts was soon after located by police in the 100 block of Earl Lane where he was asking a resident for a ride to Willow Grove, according to Gardner. He was apprehended and taken into custody and will be turned over to Bucks County Sheriff’s Deputies. He has been charged by Hatboro Police with disorderly conduct.

Parents were notified of the lockdown, Griffin said and the school is now "moving on with the rest of the day."

Because students and faculty have already this school year practiced fire, emergency evacuation and school lockdown drills, Griffin said everything fell into place. 

"We went right into our procedures," Griffin said.