CHP: All lanes of Highway 17 back open
UPDATE 1/26/2017 8:41 PM: The California Highway Patrol said all lanes of Highway 17 are back open.
UPDATE 1/26/2017 7:30 PM: The southbound lanes of Highway 17 are back open, according to the California Highway Patrol. The northbound lanes remain closed as officers continue to search for a robbery suspect.
UPDATE 1/26/2017 5:48 PM: The northbound lane of Highway 17 will remain closed all night, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP also reports that the southbound lanes could re-open within an hour. The road closure is due to an active investigation into a bank robbery this morning in Scotts Valley.
UPDATE 1/26/17 2:15 PM: The Los Gatos Union School District reports that the lockdown has been lifted at Lexington School. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department advised the school to resume its regular classroom activities and dismissal. The school district says all students and staff are accounted for and safe.
UPDATE 1/26/17 1:00 PM: The search for a suspected bank robber continues near Redwood Estates in the Santa Cruz mountains. According to the California Highway Patrol, a sheriff’s deputy fired shots at the suspect. It is unknown if the suspect was hit. No law enforcement officers were injured. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office released a surveillance image of the suspect (below).
UPDATE 1/26/17 12:39 PM: Scotts Valley police tell KION that a man who led police on a chase up Highway 17 after a bank robbery was shot by law enforcement on the highway. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating that scene. Scotts Valley Police say the robbery happened at Bank of America at 4525 Scotts Valley Dr. in Scotts Valley.
UPDATE 1/26/17 12:07 PM: Highway 17 near Redwood Estates is at a standstill as police look for a suspected bank robber.
According to the Scotts Valley Police Department, the suspect fled the city, headed northbound toward San Jose on Highway 17.
Officers from Scotts Valley Police, CHP, Santa Cruz County Sheriff are actively looking for the suspect on Highway 17 near Redwood Estates.
At 10:50 a.m., the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department placed Lexington School on lockdown until further notice. All students and staff were accounted for and safe. During lockdown, students are instructed to remain indoors. The school instructed parents to not attempt to pick up their students until further notice.
KION reporter Zach Fuentes is covering this story and will have updates throughout the afternoon.
UPDATE 1/26/17 11:20 AM: A section of Highway 17 is closed as police search for a robbery suspect in the area of Redwood Estates.
The Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office urges people to avoid the area, and for residents to shelter in place.
ORIGINAL STORY: The California Highway Patrol in Santa Cruz says Highway 17 near Redwood Estates is closed due to police activity.
Southbound traffic is being diverted to Bear Creek Road, and northbound traffic is being diverted onto Summit Road.
The CHP says motorists can expect delays. This story is developing. Check back for updated information.
