NATCHEZ — Natchez police are searching for a man they believe is connected to an attempted armed robbery Tuesday evening.

Natchez Police Department detective Jerry Ford said police are looking for George E. Byrd, 23, who they believe broke into a Dale Court house Tuesday night. A 21-year-old woman and her 87-year-old grandfather were reportedly threatened at gunpoint.

Ford said police responded to a call of an attempted armed robbery at approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Byrd knocked on the door and managed to force his way into the house after the 21-year-old answered the door, Ford said.

“The suspect repeatedly demanded money, and she told him that she didn’t have any,” Ford said. “He grabbed her and started pulling her toward the bedroom, and when they got inside the bedroom, her grandfather was in there.”

Ford said the suspect pointed the gun at the woman’s grandfather and threatened to shoot him if she didn’t hand over her money.

“She kept telling him that she didn’t have anything to give him,” Ford said. “After that continued, he took the butt of the gun and hit her on the head and fled the scene.”

Ford said they believe Byrd was involved in the incident based on statements from the Dale Court residents.

Ford said Natchez police did not believe this incident was in any tied to an armed robbery of a business in Vidalia Tuesday morning.

Anyone with information on Byrd’s whereabouts is encouraged to call NPD at 601-445-5565 or Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.