The manhunt that ended without finding the suspect Tuesday in Sunset Hills started with a police officer investigating suspicious activity after an attempted residential burglary.

The day after someone tried to enter a house in the Robyn Road area, an officer from the Sunset Hills Police Department noticed two white men, one carrying a backpack, “loitering at the end of a residential driveway” near the intersection of Robyn and West Watson roads. That was close to the site of the attempted burglary.

When an officer stopped to conduct what police called a “field interview” with the two men, the one carrying the backpack immediately took off into a heavily wooded area.

Using the St. Louis County Police Department’s helicopter and two K-9 units, the Police Department conducted a search for the man, but didn’t find him.

Police asked residents to keep an eye out for the man, but there have been no additional sightings. They believe he fled the area.

“The investigation continues and every effort is being made to apprehend this individual,” police spokeswoman Sgt. Robbie Hagen said Thursday.

The man had a shaved head and was wearing blue jeans, carrying a black backpack and might have been shirtless, according to the description police sent out.

The city notified South County Technical High School, which had no students present but went on lockdown.

The department said Thursday that it appreciates the help of the county police force during the search.

During breaking-news events like the manhunt, the Sunset Hills police use Twitter, Facebook and Nixle to get the word out. Those interested can sign up through a link on the department’s website to get email alerts.

Police also released more details on the residential burglary that led to the manhunt.

Officers responded around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday to the 30 block of Black Oak, which is located around Robyn Road and Robyn Hills.

The homeowner reported that a person had tried to force their way into the home through the door from the garage to the house. The resident didn’t see the person, so they couldn’t provide a description. Police are searching for surveillance video from the area.

“We have been and will continue to maintain increased patrols in our neighborhoods,” the Police Department posted on Facebook.

The department also “strongly” encourages residents to buy home video surveillance systems, which can “serve both as a deterrent and an investigative tool when criminal incidents happen.”

The department urges residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity to police.