ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect the latest information to better reflect the amount of suspects in the case.
Police now believe a home invasion suspect has left the area after a search caused a lockdown at Haynes Bridge Middle School and New Prospect Elementary School on Monday afternoon, according to police.
The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety posted on X that, as of 4:45 p.m., they believe the suspect has left the area. The post added that officers will continue to "be watchful over the next several hours."
Authorities are encouraging residents who see any suspicious activity to call 911 immediately.
The department also posted on X at 2:25 p.m. that, according to Fulton County Schools Resource Officers, parents of students at Haynes Bridge Middle School and New Prospect can pick up their children from both schools. The post added that a bus will not drop any students off at the Kimball Farms subdivision near Gunter Court.
Authorities added that the school was only on lockdown as a precaution, and the suspect was not on the school's property.
Meanwhile, residents are being asked to avoid the Big Creek Greenway area, and those who live near the area are asked to stay indoors while police conduct their search.
Alpharetta police said the search stems from the incident, which happened earlier in the day. Early information shows that police got a call around 11:40 Monday morning about a burglary in process at a home off Highgrove Club Drive in Milton. The homeowners were at their residence at the time of the incident. Police said the suspect drove off from the home in one of the victim's vehicles.
Lt. Andrew Noblett with Milton Police said that a homeowner had minor injuries. Lt. Noblett said a connection between the homeowners and the suspect is unclear.
Police later found the stolen vehicle abandoned in Alpharetta, near North Point Parkway and Haynes Bridge Middle School. Police said the suspect got out of the car and headed toward Big Creek Greenway, prompting the lockdowns.
Fulton County Schools Superintendent Brian Noyes said that "there never was an immediate threat" to the schools.
He added that Haynes Bridge Middle School went from a hard lockdown to a soft lockdown. New Prospect Elementary School then went into a soft lockdown as it became within the area of the search, according to Noyes.
Authorities with Alpharetta and Milton police are now searching for the suspect on the ground and in the air with helicopters.
Few details about the suspect have been released. In an update on Tuesday, authorities released the following photo of the suspect:
Alpharetta Police Captain Jakai Braithwaite said that all law enforcement agencies are mobilizing resources, including K-9s and a helicopter, to help with the search. He also added that police are searching for a four-mile stretch between Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Roswell.
At this time, police believe there is no known danger to the public.
Anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts is asked to call Milton Police Detective Tidwell at (678) 242-2614. You can also submit a tip anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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