ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Several schools with the Rockwood School District in the Eureka area were on alert Tuesday morning into the afternoon as police searched for car theft suspects involved in a pursuit that left a Eureka officer and school resource officer injured. Schools have since been given the "all clear."
Police were searching for the suspects near Mirasol Manor Way at Missouri 109 and State Road W.
According to the Eureka Police Department, at around 5 a.m. the sheriff's office had been told about people breaking into and looking through cars in a subdivision. The suspects drove away when deputies arrived.
At around 7 a.m., authorities saw a stolen car that matched the car from the previous incident near the QuikTrip at W. 4th Street and Missouri 109. An officer exited his marked patrol vehicle and approached the suspect car's passenger side in an attempt to take them into custody.
The car drove off, striking the officer and throwing him over a guard rail. He was treated at an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police began a pursuit, which went past a school in the area.
A school resource officer saw the pursuit and tried to help by pulling in front of the car. His marked police vehicle was struck, setting off the airbag. The officer was evaluated for minor injuries at the scene.
Police did not say what school the resource officer was from.
The stolen vehicle was found abandoned. Multiple cars had items inside them stolen.
Three juvenile suspects and an adult are in custody, with one still believed to be on the run as of 1 p.m. Police were canvassing the area of Mirasol Manor as they searched for the suspects.
Pacific police also confirmed three cars were stolen from Big G Tire at 306 E. Osage at around 7:30 a.m. The suspects fled and police are working to confirm if they are involved in the Eureka activity.
The officer who was taken to the hospital has served the Eureka Police Department for 10 years.
The police investigations put nearby schools on alert.
"Be assured, we are informed and have been taking some extra precautions," Rockwood School District said in a letter sent to families shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. The precautions affected the Eureka Early Childhood Center, Blevins, Eureka and Geggie elementary schools, LaSalle Springs Middle, Eureka High and the Administrative Center and Administrative Annex.
Rockwood schools got the "all clear" from Eureka police at about 1:30 p.m.
"Our affected buildings in Eureka are no longer on lockdown. Law enforcement has notified us that they have a suspect in custody, and they are confident the other suspect has left the area. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked with our law enforcement partners to keep our students and staff safe," the school district said in a statement.