Police investigate after threats made during suburban dispute – East Maitland

Police are appealing for information to locate a man who may be able to assist with inquiries after a suburban dispute in the Hunter yesterday.
About 12.40pm (Thursday 1 August 2019), a 27-year-old man attended a home on Pepler Place, Thornton with what is believed to be a weapon.
Police have been told the man threatened residents inside the home and poured a flammable substance on the property.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called a short time later.
Upon seeing police, 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, however he was not located.
No arrests have been made at this stage; investigations are continuing to locate the man.
Police believe this was a targeted incident, the parties were known to each other.