An 18-year-old man allegedly tried to steal a vehicle before leading police on a mile-long foot chase that ended at an elementary school, where his snarling mugshot later drew attention.
Clovis Police said Isaac Paradise, of Clovis, was arrested Tuesday on the Sierra Vista Elementary School campus after his attempt to evade officers prompted lockdowns at several nearby schools.
Officers were first called to an apartment complex near Sunnyside and Shaw that morning after receiving reports of an attempted car theft. Witnesses told police the suspect fled toward Clovis Avenue.
During the pursuit, which covered roughly a mile, officers received aerial assistance from the department’s Drone First Responder and a Fresno Police Department helicopter.
“Sierra Vista Elementary was placed on a brief ‘lockdown’ due to the police activity on and around their campus,” the department said.
“School staff also placed Clark Intermediate on a ‘shelter in place’ order and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) on a lockdown during the police activity.”
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Police said the lockdowns and shelter-in-place order were lifted once authorities determined the area was safe.
Kelly Avants, chief communications officer for Clovis Unified, said students at Sierra Vista were quickly brought indoors. After Clovis officers completed their operation, the school returned to normal activities.
“This lockdown was activated to allow Clovis Police Department officers to conclude activity that began off campus and required officers to enter our campus to apprehend a suspect in a neighborhood incident,” Avants said.
During a search of the suspect’s property, police allegedly discovered evidence connected to another attempted vehicle theft at a nearby apartment complex.
Paradise was booked into the Fresno County Jail and is facing several felony charges. His mugshot, which shows him missing several teeth, was released to the public.
Police said all stolen property was recovered and returned to the victims.
