Two Arrested After Causing School Lockdown, Suspected in Danville Car Burglaries

Police have identified two suspects arrested after a chase from Pleasant Hill to Lafayette Thursday morning and a search of the neighborhood surrounding two schools.

One of the suspects was found hiding in the boy's locker room at Acalanes High School at 1200 Pleasant Hill Road. The other was found hiding in a nearby backyard, Lafayette police Chief Eric Christensen said.
They have been identified as Charles Parks, 34, and Jeremiah Mercure, 35. Both men are residents of Martinez, according to the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

The pursuit started at about 10:30 a.m. as Danville police were investigating a series of auto burglaries in their area. The investigation led them to a store in Pleasant Hill, but the suspects weren't there so they
left, Christiansen said. But shortly after that, the store called police and said the suspects had come back. Pleasant Hill police went to the store to assist. As they were on their way, they saw the two suspects driving away in a stolen car.

The Pleasant Hill officers tried to pull over the suspects but they fled, with the Pleasant Hill officers in pursuit. The chase went onto Interstate Highway 680, then state Highway 24 and finally into Lafayette city
streets. The suspects stopped next to Acalanes High School and both ran from the car. One ran onto the high school grounds and the other ran into the neighborhood, Christiansen said.

Both Acalanes and nearby Springhill Elementary School were placed on lockdown. Police searched the neighborhood bordered by state Highway 24, Pleasant Hill Road, Camino Diablo and the high school campus, according to police. Police dogs from the Concord and Pittsburg police departments were called in to assist, Christiansen said.

Eventually, one suspect was located in the boy's locker room at the school. The other was found hiding in a backyard. Pleasant Hill police placed both suspects under arrest.

Related:

• Acalanes High Lockdown: One Suspect Found Hiding Inside School

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch