There was a lot of excitement at Barrhead Elementary School (BES) on the morning of March 19.
Barrhead RCMP members at about 10:20 a.m. arrested a male after a short chase that ended on BES grounds.
Sgt. Colin Hack said police received a call about a male suspected of shoplifting items from a downtown business.
"Our members spotted him near the [Pembinal Hills School District and County of Barrhead municipal offices on the sidewalk. When our members attempted to arrest him, he decided to take off on foot, running behind [the north side] the elementary school.," he said.
Hack said the members quickly caught up with him after a short chase of between 15 and 20 seconds, and police took him into custody without incident.
"He did not make any attempt to get into the school, did not threaten anybody, did not have any weapons on him. He was not a threat. He just ran from police into an empty playground," he said.
In a letter to parents, BES principal Dale Bujold stated that the individual RCMP arrested the individual between the school's "two pods."
He added that two classes were outside at the time of the event but that teachers kept students well back at a safe distance.
However, Bujold said many students did see the arrest.
"We understand that witnessing such an event can be unsettling for children. Const. Karen Vincente, our School Resource Officer from Barrhead Composite High School, has spoken to classes who saw the incident to provide reassurance and answer questions," he said.
Bujold added that if parents noticed their children were still upset by the incident or required additional support, they should contact the school.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
