Attempted Robbery at Rite Aid Prompts Elementary School Lock Down

By Autumn Johnson

Leo Croce Elementary school was locked down for about 20 minutes this afternoon after a man tried to rob the nearby Rite Aid on Vasco Road, police officials said.

Livermore Police Officer Traci Rebiejo says the suspect entered the Rite Aide at 1350 N Vasco Road just before 2:37 p.m. 

"The suspect brought several items to the counter and passed the clerk a note that said it was a robbery," Rebiejo said. "The clerk kept saying she couldn't open the register and the suspect grabbed the note and ran out of the store."

According to Rebiejo, witnesses told police the man fled on foot and was last seen running westbound on Scenic Avenue. Due to the fact that the suspect was spotted a half of a block from the school, Rebiejo says the school was put on precautionary lock down while officer searched the surrounding area and the campus.

"Officers were on scene quickly and the school did an awesome job locking everyone down, especially considering that it is a very big school and the incident was happening during pick up time," Rebiejo said.

No weapon was seen and there was no loss during the attempted robbery. Rebiejo says witnesses describe the suspect as a white man in his 40s with light brown hair. He was wearing a red jacket, a black beanie cap and black gloves.

If anyone has information about the attempted robbery, they are encouraged to call the Livermore Police Department at (925) 294-7531.