All Vermilion school buildings were placed on a Level 1 lockdown early Tuesday morning as law enforcement searched for a suspect who fled a traffic stop near State Route 2 and State Route 60 in Vermilion Township. The lockdown was lifted shortly before 9 a.m. after police determined the suspect had likely left the area.
Superintendent Wes Weaver said he was first notified of the situation at 7:37 a.m. by the district’s School Resource Officer, who reported that a person had fled a traffic stop on Route 2 and was last seen running north on foot toward Route 60. According to Erie County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records, the stop involved a black Hyundai Santa Fe with Texas plates. Two male suspects wearing masks were believed to have been involved in an attempted ATM theft in Lucas County. The driver was detained, while the passenger fled on foot wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.
Weaver said the district immediately initiated a Level 1 lockdown, which is used when a possible threat exists outside of school buildings. During a Level 1 lockdown, all exterior doors are locked, access is restricted, and students and staff remain indoors while teaching and learning continue.
“We immediately called the Level 1 lockdown and communicated with our transportation supervisor because VES students were getting on buses at that time,” Weaver said in his message to parents. “As soon as possible, I notified parents by email and text in case their students were walking to school.”
Police from the Vermilion Police Department, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol were present in the area while school staff ensured that all students were brought inside safely. Administrators also adjusted schedules for planned field trips and outdoor physical education classes.
Weaver said that around 9 a.m., the district learned that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office was no longer actively searching the area because all indications suggested the suspect had left. After speaking with Vermilion Police Chief Chris Hartung, Weaver confirmed it was safe to lift the lockdown and resume normal operations across the district.
“All Vermilion School District buildings are now resuming normal operations,” Weaver said in a follow-up message to families. “We thank parents and students for their patience and flexibility this morning. As we always do, district administrators will review our procedures to determine how we might better handle situations like this in the future.”
Law enforcement continues to investigate the incident, which began as part of a larger case involving an attempted ATM theft in Lucas County
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