A police chase of a car thief resulted in the temporary lockdown last Thursday of Kentlake High School.

Authorities said the incident began in the afternoon in Kent. Officers with the Kent Police Department chased the thief until the suspect dumped the vehicle near the high school, which is at 21401 SE. 300th St. between Black Diamond and Maple Valley.

With the suspect’s whereabouts uncertain, the school went into a lockdown as a precaution at around 12:30 for about an hour, according to authorities.

Officers searched for the suspect after he fled on foot. Kent Police officers were assisted by the King County Sheriff Department’s search and rescue helicopter Guardian One, said department spokesman John Urquhart.

No further information was available.

A report on this incident was posted in the Reporter’s online edition Oct. 9.