Traffic was at a standstill on the Riverside (91) Freeway near Lakeview Avenue as a pursuit suspect has barricaded himself in a car.
California Highway Patrol officials were alerted to a pursuit from Corona police just after 8 a.m., CHP Officer Sergio Rivera said.
They suspect was believed to be armed and dangerous, according to broadcast reports. He stopped the car just west of Lakeview and has refused to come out since then, Rivera said.
Police vehicles have the suspect’s vehicle pinned. Officers were attempting to negotiate with him to get out, Rivera added. It was not immediately clear how many people were inside the car.
The closure resulted in a miles-long backup in both directions. Westbound traffic was being diverted off on Lakeview and eastbound traffic is being rerouted to the southbound Costa Mesa (55) Freeway, Rivera said.
Drivers and passengers were getting out of their cars, which were stopped behind about a dozen law enforcement vehicles.
Two area schools, Crescent Elementary School and Crescent Primary School, were placed under lockdown due to the police activity, according to ABC7.