NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Two schools were placed on lockdown this morning after a series of incidents starting in Herkimer County and stretching into New Hartford, that have left police from numerous agencies searching for a driver that fled a crash scene.

New Hartford Police say that at about 2:10 a.m. Wednesday morning, a fight involving 4 people occurred on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford, ending with two men involved in that fight fleeing in a white car.

A short time later, State Troopers in Herkimer were notified that a white car had been stolen from a residence in the Town of Frankfort and that a hunting shotgun may have been in the vehicle at the time of the theft.

Around 3:30 a.m., police patrols looking for the stolen car located a one-car accident at the intersection of Higby and Valley View Roads. New Hartford Police say responding officers found that the stolen car had crashed there and the driver of that car fled the scene.

Police did not locate the shotgun in the crashed car, and are working to verify if the weapon is a factor in this matter.

Police agencies then began to search the area for the driver, describing him as a male, roughly 25 years old, about 5' 8"in height, black hair and possibly wearing an orange sweater.

That search did not turn up the suspect.

The crash scene was about one quarter of a mile from two New Hartford Central School buildings - Elliott Hughes Elementary School and Ralph Perry Junior High School.

New Hartford police and school administrators conferred about this matter and decided to place into effect a precautionary security plan to ensure the safety of the schools before allowing students to enter the buildings.

School staff trained in building searches and police officers thoroughly searched the interiors and exteriors of both school buildings to ensure that no unauthorized entry had been made. Junior High students were detained on school buses until the building searches were completed. At no time were students, school staff or school facilities in any danger.

Only minor delays in the school day occurred.

According to New Hartford Assistant Superintendent Vincent Condro, "There was never any indication that he was in the building. Students were never in any harms way. Students and faculty were kept from entering the building until the building could be searched and cleared."

Residents living in the area of the crash are being advised to report suspicious persons in the area.

Police from several area agencies continue to investigate this incident.

Police say additional information is currently being developed and more details will be released to the public later.