Kirkland schools went into a modified lockdown Friday after Kirkland police informed school officials that two suspects of a stolen vehicle were loose.

Thoreau Elementary sent out an email at approximately 2:30 p.m. notifying families of the lockdown. The email said at 11:40 a.m. the school received a call from police telling them to keep students inside because they were in pursuit of “three suspects.” The school responded by locking all doors, windows and closing blinds.

Lt. Mike Murray said police did inform the schools located around the 9000 block of N.E. 132nd St. of the pursuit but, he says, they did not advise them to hold a lockdown.

Kathryn Reith, communications director of the Lake Washington School District, confirmed Finn Hill Middle School also held a modified lockdown.

According to Murray, police followed the white SUV until a male and female got out and ran north toward a wooded area.

It is unknown if the two suspects were armed, but Murray said police had no reason to believe they were.

Five or six police units responded and were on scene for about 45 minutes. A few officers stayed to search through the woods, but no arrests were made, Murray said.

“Unfortunately a lot of people leave valuables in their cars and prowlers see them, break in and steal,” Murray said.

He acknowledges the Finn Hill area has seen more police activity since annexation and that Kirkland police have tried to give those areas more attention, but noted “we can’t be everywhere at once.”