SAN MATEO — A suspect sought in connection with reports of a gunman outside one shopping mall was arrested outside a second mall, authorities said Sunday.

In a pair of tweets around 4:35 p.m., police shared an image of a person alleged to be a gunman.

“SMPD is currently investigating a report of an armed subject in the area of Hillsdale Mall. This info has not been confirmed, but in an abundance of caution, officers have flooded the area,” police said in one tweet.

“If you recognize this subject call 911 immediately. The mall remains open, but avoid area.”

The other tweet described the suspect as a white man in his twenties, wearing a black polo shirt, dark-colored pants and light-colored shoes, a light-colored baseball hat with a large logo and carrying a black duffel bag with brown straps.

By 5:30 p.m., police said the mall had been cleared and searched and was open for business again, adding that the mall was never officially on lockdown despite some store proprietors’ door closures out of caution.

Just before 9 p.m., police said the suspect had been identified and arrested outside Laurelwood Shopping Center, about two miles east of Hillsdale.

SMPD is currently investigating a report of an armed subject in the area of Hillsdale Mall. This info has not been confirmed, but in an abundance of caution officers have flooded the area. If you recognize this subject call 911 immediately. The mall remains open, but avoid area. pic.twitter.com/LFWxpgnsaK — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 19, 2019

Subject described as white male adult, in 20’s, blk polo, dark pants, light shoes, light baseball hat with large logo, carrying blk duffle bag with brown straps. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 19, 2019

While we can't close the mall for unconfirmed reports, we can ask the public to avoid the area while we investigate. Clearly we wouldn't want an influx of people coming to an area when we are trying to determine what is going on. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 20, 2019

.@HillsdaleSC has been searched and cleared. Business to resume as usual. Officers remain in the area. Again, this incident has not been confirmed, but should anyone see the subject of interest, please contact police immediately. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 20, 2019

No stores were on lock down. Some voluntarily decided to shut their doors for the time being. The mall has been searched and cleared and business to resume as usual. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 20, 2019

The mall has been searched and cleared and business to resume as usual. — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 20, 2019

We can confirm the subject responsible for today's incident @HillsdaleSC has been identified and arrested this evening at Laurelwood Shopping Center. The investigation continues, but we will provide additional details tomorrow in a press release. pic.twitter.com/q87rInGWQU — San Mateo PD (@SanMateoPD) May 20, 2019

Mall shoppers and visitors tweeted about the ensuing police response Sunday afternoon.

Locked inside the Nordstrom at the Hillsdale Mall. There’s a swat team outside. — Greg Back (@gregoryback) May 19, 2019

There are cops everywhere where I am at Hillsdale Mall, something is happening. Please stay safe guys. — Aero (@AeroKitsune) May 19, 2019

Locked in the storage room at The Gap at the@hillsdalemall. SWAT and other police here. Armed person walking around. — Caesar Evangelista (@CCEvangelista) May 19, 2019

TO SAN MATEO FRIENDS. DO NOT GO TO HILLSDALE MALL. THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY SOMEONE WITH A GUN. LOTSA COPS AND A SWAT TEAM ON SCENE — Dani G (@giantsgirldani) May 19, 2019

Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.