Two schools and a preschool in Saugus were placed on “soft lockdown” Tuesday morning after deputies checking on a parolee in the area learned that the parolee fled from them armed with a gun.

Arroyo Seco Junior High School and Santa Clarita Elementary School were put under the lockdown, keeping students inside the schools as a precaution.

“It’s a precaution since they are near the area of the search,” Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station said.

James Foster Elementary School is not in a lockdown; however, a deputy is outside to address any concerns parents might have, according to SUSD officials.

The Primetime Preschool at Santa Clarita Park was also placed on lockdown.

Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station set up a containment perimeter in the area of the parolee, Miller said.

The containment area searched is bounded by the streets Santa Clarita Road, Guadilamar Drive and Seco Canyon Road.

“The parole compliance team was going to a location to check on a subject,” she said. “The parolee fled the scene, absconding from deputies.”

Miller confirmed reports that man had a firearm.

In a Tweet update posted shortly before noon,Miller wrote: “Primetime Preschool at Santa Clarita Park is on lockdown. Children and teachers are SAfe inside the classroom and will remain inside until the lockdown has been lifted.

“Teachers will remain with students until dismissal can occur,” she wrote.