Robbery locks down school

MIDVALE — An armed robbery led to a high school lockdown Wednesday as police searched for the gunman.

Around 10:45 a.m., police received a call regarding an armed robbery at EZ Loan Services, 858 Fort Union Blvd., said Midvale Police Sgt. John Salazar. The man walked into the building and pointed a gun at the teller. He then informed her that she was being robbed and pulled a "neckerchief" over his face, he said.

The gunman then ordered the employee to go to a restroom in the rear of the building, while he stole an undisclosed amount of money, Salazar said. He then fled south on foot.

Midvale police set up a containment area and locked down nearby Hillcrest High School, 7350 S. 900 East, as a precaution.

The school was locked down for about an hour, said Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney. He said "classes went on as normal" and the lockdown was mostly a safety measure.

While the incident didn't disrupt classes, Haney said it was "disconcerting" to lock down the school on the first day of class. The lockdown ended after police were able to clear the area, but they have yet to locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, about 20 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a skeleton mask, blue baseball cap, baggy blue Levi's, a blue long-sleeve shirt with another shirt over it and white shoes. He was last seen carrying a black semi-automatic handgun. The public is advised to use caution and call 911 if they see someone matching this description.

— Emiley Morgan