Tuesday morning found Highway 23 near Strom Thurmond High School lit up with flashing blue lights as law enforcement agencies converged on two burglary suspects that had been pursued by sheriff’s deputies before daylight. The suspects had abandoned their vehicle near Highway 23 precipitating the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Department to deploy bloodhounds and SLED helicopters in order to locate and take the two suspects into custody.

According to Mr. James Courtney, spokesman for Edgefield County Schools, JET Middle School, Strom Thurmond High School and the district office were put on lockdown during the law enforcement operation in accordance with school district policies and procedures.