5:40 p.m. UPDATE
Update: Earlier, three schools were put on lockdown as police searched for a fugitive in the area. The lockdowns have been lifted and no other schools are under any kind of threat school officials say.
Police are still searching for the fugitive.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WTVR) — Several schools are on lockdown in Newport News after state police said a dangerous fugitive escaped from U.S. Marshals along I-64 Friday.
WTKR reports McIntosh, Greenwood and Richneck elementary schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution and that a controlled dismissal took place for some middle schools in the Denbeigh area.
This after Virginia State Police and the U.S. Marshals arrested 31-year-old Phillip Alonzo Robinson after a foot chase from a Newport News address Friday morning.
However, police said Robinson, who was wanted for several felony, misdemeanor violations and probation violations, escaped while being transported to jail.
The suspect is described as a black male standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds. He was last seen in the 600 block of Industrial Drive of Newport News wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, black socks, no shoes and handcuffed from behind.
Virginia State Police and Newport News Police units, along with canine and helicopter units are taking part in the search.
State Police ask citizens in the Industrial Park Drive area to be on the lookout for Robinson and call state police at 757-424-6800 if you have information on his whereabouts.
