A search for an armed robber prompted school officials to start a lockdown at Herrera Elementary School Thursday afternoon, but police were able to find the suspect before the lockdown could even be fully initiated, according to authorities.

The situation started around 3 p.m. when officers witnessed the robbery near Orizaba Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach police spokeswoman Arantxa Chavarria said.

“As officers attempted to detain the suspect he began to run from the scene,” she said.

Herrera Elementary’s security officer ordered the lockdown but quickly rescinded it, Long Beach Unified School District spokesman Chris Eftychiou said.

Police had already surrounded the area and found the robber, according to Chavarria. They also found a gun, she said.