PRESQUE ISLE – Police are searching for a Presque Isle man wanted in connection with a hatchet attack on another man early Sunday morning.

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for Chad B. Walton, 21, charging him with aggravated assault and burglary.

Walton is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 151 pounds. He has brown hair, blue eyes and possibly a goatee.

Walton allegedly broke into a home on Chapman Street at about 4 a.m. Sunday and threatened David Theriault, 20, who was sleeping in a back bedroom, according to a District Court affidavit submitted by Sgt. Joey Seeley of the Presque Isle Police Department.

Theriault got out of bed and a fight ensued, during which Walton allegedly took a hatchet from the wall and attack Theriault, striking him in the back of the neck.

Theriault was taken by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle for treatment of his injuries and later was released.

During the fight, Theriault hollered for help and awakened Garrett Brewer, 25, who lives at the house and was in another bedroom.

Brewer came out, armed with a rifle, witnessed the fight, and subsequently loaded the rifle.

Theriault was able to break free, at which time Walton allegedly approached both men with the hatchet.

Brewer told Walton to stop and when he didn’t, Brewer fired the rifle. Walton was not struck by the shot and fled. Brewer followed him outside where he was able to positively identify Walton.

Walton fled in a car parked near Theriault’s house.

Neither man knew Walton, but Theriault told police that Walton had called him a few days before and threatened him.

Theriault and Brewer were both able to identify Walton from police file photos.

A motive for the attack had not been established Tuesday, and Seeley said the incident remains under investigation.

Walton was convicted in April 2001 for assault. He was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and two years of probation. He reportedly had recently finished serving his sentence.

Police are asking that anyone with information about Walton’s whereabouts contact the Presque Isle Police Department at 764-4476 or Aroostook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-638-8477.

The Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department are assisting in the investigation.