Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A 37-year-old man was arrested and accused of causing a lockdown at a Sandy school.
- Officers say Scott Sterling Howick attempted entry while high, prompting police intervention.
- No students were at risk; Howick's car search revealed meth, marking his third DUI, according to police.
SANDY — A 37-year-old man was arrested Thursday and accused of forcing a Sandy elementary school to go into lockdown after he showed up high on drugs.
Scott Sterling Howick was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of disrupting a school, two counts of trespassing on school property, DUI, driving on a denied license and drug possession.
Just after 8 a.m., Sandy police were called to Crescent Elementary School, 11100 S. 230 East, where Howick tried to enter through the main doors but was denied and then tried to enter through a back door, according to a police booking affidavit.
"All doors were locked at the back of the school as well," the affidavit states. "Due to the suspect's agitated behavior, the school was placed on lockdown for the safety of the school students and staff."
Police arrived and took Howick into custody. Officers suspected he was under the influence of drugs because he was "acting erratic," the affidavit alleges.
"Scott was advised he was under arrest for DUI. Scott was acting erratic, with nonstop fidgety motions, constantly swaying back and forth. Scott was unable to stand still or maintain eye contact," police said.
Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney says the school doesn't start classes until 9 a.m. and the building was placed in "secure" status for a few minutes as opposed to a lockdown.
"The police response occurred before school started but local law enforcement maintained a presence at Crescent Elementary while families arrived for breakfast and orchestra. Please be assured that at no time did the man gain access to our building and no students or employees were ever at risk throughout the incident. With the support of police, we were able to safely start school at the regular time," the school principal explained in an email to families Thursday.
After the was taken into custody, officers searched Howick's car and reported finding meth. When he was taken to the Sandy Police Department, Howick "continued to act erratic, constantly moving and fidgeting his arms and legs. He was not able to sit still while answering questions," the arresting officer wrote
"This will be Scott's third DUI arrest and has a long history of illegal narcotic possession and distribution," the affidavit says.
