Police in Cameron County are searching for a man they describe as "armed and aggravated" following his botched kidnapping of a bank employee because he was apparently upset over his house being foreclosed.

Police are searching for 58-year-old Thomas Edward Smith, of Clearcreek Road in Emporium. He was last seen wearing a tan T-shirt and is considered extremely dangerous. Smith is about 5 feet 10 inches tall with white hair, a mustache and a thin build. Emporium Police Chief John Lovett says Smith walks with a limp.

The Emporium Borough Police Department said the woman, who is a Citizen's Bank employee, was driving around 12:35 p.m. when Smith flagged her down near Carson Street and asked her for a ride into town. Police said Smith claimed his vehicle was broken down.

After Smith got into the woman's vehicle, he pulled out a handgun and ordered the woman to go back to the bank several times, but she refused. Police said Smith made threats toward the woman and another bank employee.

The 39-year-old woman then drove onto South Broad Street and jumped from her vehicle, which crashed into the front porch of a house on the 200 block, police said.

Emporium police said Smith ran away and the woman fled to a Sheetz store and called 911.

Smith was last seen in the Whittemore Hill area just after the incident. Wednesday evening, state police urged people to stay inside their homes with their doors locked. Numerous law enforcement agencies, emergency crews, a state police helicopter, and search dogs were trying to track Smith down.

Lovett said Smith is considered dangerous because he remains "armed and aggravated." Lovett tells The Associated Press police have a car outside the bank in case he returns.

Police said anyone who sees Smith should not approach him and they should call police immediately. Police also said anyone is aiding or harboring Smith faces felony charges.

Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage.