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Home » News » Ovid school placed into lockdown on Monday after search for man who threatened to kill deputy

Ovid school placed into lockdown on Monday after search for man who threatened to kill deputy

An Ovid man was taken into custody after a standoff, search, and pursuit unfolded on Monday.

According to the sheriff’s office, on Monday around 10:56 a.m. deputies responded to a residence in Ovid for a male who had been making threats of self-harm.


Deputies said the report indicated that the person may be armed, and upon arrival, they learned the person in question had fled the scene.

Due to the man’s erratic behavior, threats, and close proximity to the South Seneca Central School the building was placed into lockdown protocol.

Deputies also alerted downtown businesses and conducted a search for the male. A short time later, the male was located behind a business in a wooded area. While coming out of the wooded area, he threatened to kill a sergeant while swinging a piece of lumber.


The suspect again fled the scene on foot and ran into moving traffic along Route 96. He was taken into custody after a brief pursuit on foot.

Deputies identified the man as Hernes Valencia-Arboleda, age 25, of Ovid. He was charged with menacing and released on appearance tickets.

New York State Police and New York State Park Police assisted.