Underaged Robbery Suspects Cause Lockdown At New Mexico High School

Two underaged girls who are suspected of armed robbery boarded a school bus and entered the campus of New Mexico’s Rio Grande High School, prompting a lockdown Thursday.

Officials initiated the lockdown procedure after students reported seeing two “suspicious females” prowling the campus to staff, KOAT reported Saturday.

After the staff secured the classrooms, they searched the premises for the intruders. They found the two girls — who reportedly appeared under the influence — in a second-floor bathroom stall and escorted them out. (RELATED: Homeland Security Hints At New Details About New Mexico Judge Arrest)

Armed robbery suspects board school bus, enter Rio Grande High campus | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/HpJfQ1aMtf

— KOAT.com (@koat7news) May 17, 2025

The duo then fled the campus and were reportedly placed under arrest by Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputies. The entire lockdown lasted around 15 minutes. Authorities confirmed to the local ABC affiliate that the two had outstanding warrants for armed robbery charges and now face additional charges.

The school principal related the entire incident to parents. “We understand how alarming situations like these can be, but I want to assure you we did our very best to keep everyone safe,” the principal wrote, according to KOAT.

The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) system is investigating how the girls managed to get on the school bus in the first place.

“Yesterday’s incident should not have happened. Our Transportation Director is addressing the matter with the bus contractor,” it said in a statement.

APS later elaborated that school bus drivers are given route lists that identify eligible riders.

“If a driver encounters an unfamiliar student at a bus stop, they are instructed to contact dispatch via radio to verify the child’s name, address, school and other relevant details. There are ongoing discussions about requiring students to carry school ID at all times and implementing scanners on school buses for identity verification,” it wrote in a statement.

The Daily Caller reached out to APS for comment about this incident and has not received a reply as of Monday morning.