A teenage suspect is in custody after a shelter-in-place order was issued by police in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities were searching the area immediately surrounding Port Plaza for a 19-year-old man who police said may be armed. He allegedly fled from officers who were serving an arrest warrant in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
The teen was later identified by police as Jose Ilarraza, most recently of Amesbury.
Police said Ilarraza was initially located inside a store inside the shopping center and fled from officers. The shelter-in-place was issued out of an abundance of caution and K9 crews were dispatched from multiple area police departments.
One woman, who did not want to be identified, told NBC Boston that she was outside of her home when her sister called to warn her.
"I want you to go in the house right now. Lock your doors. There's a shelter in place in Newburyport," she recalled.
She said from her living room, she looked out her window and says she saw a man matching the suspect's description.
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"I called 911, gave them a description. I said, 'he's heading towards the high school direction.' And then a minute later they went bombing down the street. And then when I saw him on the news. That's him," the woman recalled.
Ilarraza was taken into custody about an hour later in the area of Toppan Lane without further incident.
Neighbors said they were relieved the tense situation was over.
"It's so important for us as citizens to be vigilant. Pay attention if you know somebody who is an area and someone is loose. Police need our help," said one neighbor.
Ilarraza is facing charges of breaking and entering a building during the daytime, trespassig, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. It's unclear when Ilarraza will be arraigned on the charges.
