CDNews received this note from a reader this morning:

…my spouse was waiting at the bus stop on Jackson, near 22nd Avenue, and noticed that across the street there were several police vehicles at the Washington middle school (located next to Franz bakery). Police were apparently looking in and around the school and talking to a man. It would be nice to know what happened.

According to police, an apparent burglar set off a silent alarm at the school early Thursday morning. Officers arrived, surrounded the school and caught him in the act.

More details from SPD:

East Precinct officers arrested a burglar early this morning at Washington Middle School (2101 South Jackson Street) after they responded to a silent alarm call.

Shortly after 4:00 this morning, officers were dispatched to an alarm call at the school.  Officers set up containment around the building and saw a man walking through the school.  The suspect attempted to run out the west doors of the school, but was quickly taken into custody without incident.  Officers located several items in the school hallway that it appeared the suspect was attempting to steal.  A K-9 team searched the school for additional suspects, but none were located.  It appears that the 50-year-old suspect was acting alone and may have entered the building through an unlocked classroom window.

The suspect was later booked into the King County Jail.