JACKSON — Two Jackson elementary schools were placed in lockdown mode on Feb 13 as police from Howell crossed a municipal border into Jackson to pursue five individuals.

Simultaneously, the Crawford-Rodriguez and Howard C. Johnson elementary schools began a lockdown as a precautionary action. Before the incident was over, Jackson police provided protection before students were allowed to be dismissed.

"On Feb. 13 at 2:26 p.m., Jackson police responded to calls from concerned motorists who reported two vehicles being driven erratically on Aldrich Road," Jackson police Capt. David Newman said in a press release. "Multiple callers reported that the vehicles may have been racing each other and had nearly caused several crashes."

Minutes later, Jackson police received a call from a resident of Larsen Road who reported there was a physical altercation taking place between the occupants of the two cars in the middle of Larsen Road, Newman said. One of the occupants fled the area on foot and allegedly was in possession of a knife.

Jackson police learned that the incident may have been the aftermath of a robbery that had just occurred in Howell.

Several Howell police officers and detectives responded to the Larsen Road scene, and a joint investigation was conducted. Police said a coordinated search was made for the suspect who had fled the area on foot. He was taken into custody by Howell police at 3:35 p.m. and was subsequently identified as Travis Lafalce, 18, of Howell

Taken into custody at the scene were Mark Rose, 24, of Galloway, Craig Menth, 26, of Toms River, Michael Eisenberg, 22, of Howell, and Steven Donoghue, 21, of Howell.

According to Howell police Capt. Donna Craton, the victims of the robbery — Menth and Rose — met suspects Donoghue, Eisenberg and Lafalce for a narcotics transaction in Howell during which an undetermined amount of money was taken from them.

The suspects fled the area in Howell and proceeded to Larsen Road in Jackson where a scuffle among all of the men took place.

The following charges were made:

Menth and Rose were each charged with conspiracy to possess controlled dangerous substances (CDS), specifically prescription medication. Both men were released on summonses.

Donoghue, Eisenberg and Lafalce were each charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to distribute CDS. According to the complaint that was filed, the CDS was Oxycodone.

Bail was set by Howell Municipal Court Judge Allen Kaplan in the amount of $1,000. Donoghue and Lafalce posted bail and were released. Eisenberg was unable to post bail and was taken to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township.

Jackson police said the two schools were placed into lockdown because the two vehicles containing the suspects were heading toward the vicinity of the schools.

At the Crawford-Rodriguez and Johnson schools, pupils remained in place until police determined there was adequate police protection to allow the children to board their buses.

Children who walk to their school were not released until 3:35 p.m. when the suspect, Lafalce, was taken into custody by Howell police.

"At no time were the students in any danger due to the coordinated efforts between police and school officials," Newman said.

On Feb 17, Jackson Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said he is proud of how the administration and staff at both schools handled themselves with sensitivity and composure during the incident.

"We have a well-trained staff who know how to keep students both safe and calm at the same time,'' he said. "This is why we practice, so that if a situation arises we know what to do."'

Gialanella said the lockdown required a delay to the dismissal schedules of both schools, but said administrators used the automated calling system and Internet Web site to put the word out about the delay.

"Our parents were very understanding,"' he said. "In this case it was what we needed to do to cooperate with the police and to be sure our students were safe."