TOWNSEND, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Sevier County and Blount County deputies are searching for an armed robbery suspect in the Townsend area after a high speed chase from Wears Valley, according to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals and Blount County Sheriff's spokesperson Marian O'Briant.

The chase forced Townsend Elementary School to go on lockdown as a precaution.

Volunteer TV's Sara Shookman reports from the school that students have been completely evacuated from the building after being escorted out of the school, flanked by two armed officers who appear ready to fire. Blount County Director of Schools Rob Britt says administrators felt it was safe to let students go, but wanted the armed officers present as a precaution.

The robbery apparently happened at a business in Pigeon Forge on Wears Valley Road in a complex that also houses Best Heating and Air, according to Seals.

Police say the suspect, Phillip Hammock, 37, of Sevierville, was chased into Blount County, crashed the stolen truck he was driving into a cabin on Mountain Ave. about a block away from Townsend Elementary School before fleeing on foot. Then Hammock pulled a gun on deputies, Seals says. It isn't clear whether Hammock fired on deputies or not.

The truck he was driving had Alabama tags.