Police have issued an appeal to find a man who triggered a large scale search throughout Maitland on Thursday afternoon.
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The search started after a 27-year-old man attended a home at Pepler Place, Thornton about 12.40pm on Thursday. It was believed he had a weapon.
The man threatened residents inside the home and poured a flammable substance on the property, police were told.
Police suspect it was a targeted incident and that the parties were known to each other.
Police were called a short time later. Upon seeing officers, the man fled the scene through nearby bushland.
An extensive search operation was conducted around the Thornton and East Maitland areas, utilising resources from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, the Police Dog Unit and PolAir.
Police placed a school into lockdown as a precaution, while other schools and nearby businesses also locked down while the operation took place.
But the search was ultimately unsuccessful, and was scaled back as light faded late in the afternoon.
No arrests have been made at this stage and investigations are continuing to locate the man.
The man has been described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170-180cm, of thin build with light brown hair and green eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Maitland Police on 4934 0200.