JEFFERSON — Police are on the hunt for an armed man who unsuccessfully tried to force his way into a home Saturday night after allegedly sticking the barrel of his gun through a door opening and claiming to be from the Maine State Police.

He escaped after a brief struggle with residents.

Lt. Michael Murphy of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the man tried to force his way into the home on Noyes Lane at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

He stuck the barrel of his gun through a crack in the front door left open when a visiting neighbor ran back inside after starting the quick walk home and hearing a suspicious noise, Murphy said.

The man, who’s about 6 feet tall and of medium build, repeatedly claimed to be from the Maine State Police, but showed no identification. He was wearing a white costume mask, a bandana and all black clothes, Murphy said, not a police uniform.

The man also apparently had a dog with him, though the residents could only hear the animal, according to Murphy.

As the suspect tried to force his way into the home, some of those inside held the door back while another called police.

“Luckily, there was a bunch of them,” Murphy said.

At one point, Murphy said, one resident grabbed the barrel of the man’s gun, starting a tug-of-war with the man.

The man fled when residents told him they had called police.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police responded to the scene. Murphy said police combed through the surrounding area Saturday night looking for signs of the man.

Police are investigating a few leads they have, he said. Anyone with information can call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 882-7332.

“Hopefully, we’ll have something more in a few days,” Murphy said.