Police locked down Saco Middle School today as they searched for a suspected house burglar in the area.

Sgt. Ray Demers said police received a call this morning that someone was spotted breaking into a house. The person subsequently ran from the area toward the area of the Saco Middle School on Buxton Road. Demers said he called the school resource officer, who was at the middle school, and the building was locked down at 10:10 a.m. For an hour, the school was under full lockdown, said Demers, with all students inside their classrooms with the doors locked and shades drawn, and with no access from outside. Students from an unattached classroom were also brought inside.

After an hour, the lockdown was modified. Students could move around inside the school, but no one could leave or enter the school.

Demers said eight police cars searched the area, as did nine officers on foot. The suspect, who Demers said has a history of burglary in that area, wasn’t caught. Demers declined to identify him.

Demers said the modified lockdown was set to end after lunch, roughly at 12:30. School Principal Rick Talbot said the lockdown went smoothly. About a half-dozen parents called with questions, he said.