Robbery Suspects Arrested Following Brief Chase

TYLER – Some Tyler schools were temporarily locked down following a Smith County robbery. Texas College, Dogan Middle School and Griffin Elementary were locked down for a short time Thursday morning. Officers received a report that several men suspected in an earlier robbery were in North Tyler. When authorities arrived, two men jumped in a car and led law officers on a chase. It ended when the car crashed at North Grand and West 28th Street. The two fled but later were arrested. It was first thought they may be connected with another robbery on Highway 31 West. The investigation showed the two were not related. Marcus Ballesteros, 23 (pictured) and Juan Avelar, Jr 23 , were charged with evading arrests and there may be additional charges filed against them.