Pasadena City College and Caltech issue lockdown with students and staff told to shelter in place during police activity

STUDENTS and staff at two California colleges were ordered to lock their doors and shelter in place on Thursday.

The lockdown at Pasadena City College and Caltech came after police activity was reported near the campuses.

"There is no longer a threat to the campus community," Pasadena City College said in an update on Twitter.

The community college initially announced the lockdown at 3.45pm PST.

"Lock doors and shelter in place until further notice," Pasadena City College said in a campus-wide alert.

Neighboring university Caltech also issued a lockdown and provided an update saying that Pasadena police were working to capture robbery suspects in the area.

"If not on campus, do not come to campus," Caltech wrote.

"If on campus, please remain in place until you receive a release of the lock down order."

Pasadena police were reportedly looking for several burglary suspects, who were on the loose near the two universities, CBSLA reported.

Authorities began tracking the suspects in Glendora by air, police said.

The city college is a community college located in the center of Pasadena.

California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is a private top research school known for its strength in science and engineering.