UPDATE (Nov. 18, noon):  A community worked together Monday morning, Nov, 18, to apprehend two juveniles suspected of numerous auto break-ins at Wellington Ridge Apartments in Covington.

At 6:22 a.m., the Covington Police Department received a call in reference to a stolen 2019 white F250 Super Duty truck in Brookline subdivision, located off Bypass Road, according to the CPD press release. The responding officers were advised the truck's GPS pinpointed the vehicle at Wellington Ridge Apartments, located on Highway 142.

"Officers went to that location and observed a 2008 blue Mitsubishi Lancer driving at a high rate of speed with an individual hanging on to the hood of the vehicle," the release stated. "The officer turned around on the vehicle, and the individual on the hood got into the vehicle and left the scene."

The CPD followed the vehicle onto Highway 142, which is where the Newton County Sheriff's Office got involved and continued the chase to Bridgestone Tire, located further down Highway 142, according to the release. The suspects abandoned the vehicle at Bridgestone Tire and escaped on foot.

It had been discovered the Mitusbishi was reported stolen out of DeKalb County.

The Georgia State Patrol, which had been in the area, located one of the juvenile suspects behind HomeTowne Studios at 9161 City Pond Road, according to the release. The juvenile was apprehended by GSP; the other juvenile was still on the run.

The Covington Fire Department joined the search and brought an instrument allowing them to search areas via heat signatures to locate the second juvenile, according to CPD Capt. Ken Malcom.

The search continued behind Georgia Piedmont Technical College after information was received of a male suspect seen running in the area, according to the release. The officers located the juvenile in a tree, about 40 to 45 feet off the ground.

The two juveniles were charged with entering auto, fleeing to elude, theft by receiving, theft by taking and obstruction.

NCSO confirmed the lockdown of Flint Hill Elementary, Cousins Middle and Mainstay Academy — which had been implemented during the chase — was lifted. 

The investigation was turned over to the CPD.

"It was such a great effort by our patrol division, Newton County's patrol division, Georgia State Patrol, Covington fire and Georgia Piedmont," Malcom said. "We all worked together to make sure the scene is safe, and that we were about to set up the perimeter and arrest these two very young individuals. Great effort by everybody."

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COVINGTON, Ga. — The Newton County School System confirmed three schools are on lockdown this morning.

"Flint Hill Elementary, Cousins Middle and Mainstay Academy are on lockdown due to law enforcement activity in the area," Sherri Davis, NCSS director of public relations, said.

The law enforcement activity in the area is due to a suspect on the run, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

"They are trying to find the suspect," NCSO Deputy Michael Gregg said. "I am trying to get more information."