CPD Locates Providence Carjacking Vehicle at Hopkins Hill School

At approximately 11:50 a.m. Monday, Coventry Police initiated an emergency lockdown procedure at Hopkins Hill Elementary School to secure the building while officers searched for any unauthorized persons.

The exercise was implemented after an officer discovered a vacant vehicle parked in the school lot matching the description of one involved in a Providence carjacking earlier that morning. 

According to Police Chief Bryan Volpe, the lockdown was a precautionary measure, but no suspect was witnessed or located, and no contact was made with any suspicious individuals by anyone at the school. 

Providence detectives are expected to arrive at the school during the day to examine and process the car, then likely tow it to Providence for fingerprinting.

Both departments are working together in an attempt to determine a timeline of when the vehicle arrived at Hopkins Hill School following the carjacking in Providence.

In a ListServ email to parents at shortly after noon, Principal Kathy Tancrelle explained that she gathered students in the school gymnasium after the lockdown was lifted to explain the situation and let them know that everything was alright.

"The students were told that the police wanted us to be safe," said Tancrelle. "The children burst into spontaneous applause and asked the officers' names."

Check back with Coventry Patch for more information as it becomes available.