02.21.2023 | 4:30 PM | SANTA ANA – A suspect who tried to run over children at a school hid from authorities inside a tunnel after crashing into a flood control channel following a pursuit, Tuesday evening.
The suspect driving a black Nissan van entered grounds of the MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School, located in the 600 block of West Alton Avenue, and attempted to strike children and adults around 4:40 PM.
Police responded and attempted to stop the suspect prompting a brief pursuit that came to an end when the suspect crashed into a flood control channel in the 3000 block of South Flower Street.
The suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Nicolas Sanudo, of Santa Ana, fled on foot into a small tunnel.
Area schools were placed on lockdown as authorities worked for hours to detain the suspect who refused to comply with commands.
The incident was resolved around 9:30 PM when Sanudo was taken into custody.