WATERVILLE -- Police were on the hunt Wednesday for a man who invaded a home early Tuesday morning on upper Western Avenue.

A woman who was alone at 6 a.m. Tuesday reported that a man appeared in the home wearing a dark-colored, hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask demanded prescription drugs, said Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey.

Massey declined to divulge the victim's name, age or her address, pending the investigation. No one was hurt in the incident.

"After victims are traumatized, they worry they might be victimized again," Massey said.

He did say, however, that she doesn't live alone.

Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey said the man got away with some drugs that were not narcotics.

Police declined also to describe the suspect, fearing it could compromise the investigation.

"He talked to her and told her not to look at him," Rumsey said of the intruder.

"He asked her not to look at him, and asked her where her prescription medicine was. He told her not to move and he spent some time rummaging in the house looking for, we believe, prescription medication," he said.

Rumsey said police were in the area and responded immediately to the report of the home invasion. A home invasion is the crime of entering a private and occupied dwelling, with the intent of committing a crime, often while threatening the resident of the dwelling.

"Officers set up a perimeter and checked side streets," Rumsey said.

G.J. Neagle of the Kennebec County Sheriff's Department brought a search dog, which found tracks from the home toward the direction of Colby College, Rumsey said.

They lost the tracks in the Mayflower Hill Drive area, he said.

"That's where it ended, basically," Massey said.

"Home invasions are very serious," the chief said. "It's a matter of detectives doing a lot of legwork."

The incident was the second home invasion in Waterville in about a month. The last occurred on Silver Street, Rumsey said.

He urged residents to call 680-4700 with any information about the break-in and theft.

Larry Grard -- 474-9534, Ext. 343

lgrard@centralmaine.com