The Moline Police Department is searching for a man accused of holding a woman and her children against their will for several hours Thursday.

Bryan D. Sharpe, 32, of Moline, is wanted on suspicion of felony counts of home invasion and unlawful restraint, and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and unlawful violation of an order of protection.

Police said he is believed to have forced his way into his girlfriend's home in the 3100 block of 11th Ave. C, at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday andchoking her and breaking her cell phone, before holding her and her children for several hours until members of the woman's family arrived and confronted him.

During the ensuing quarrel, Mr. Sharpe is believed to have battered some of the family members, including one of the children, a police department news release said.

The woman has an emergency order of protection against Mr. Sharpe, and investigators believe he was trying to prevent her from attending a related hearing scheduled for later in the morning, according to the news release.

Police said Mr. Sharpe had not been taken into custody as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, and may be driving a black 2003 Honda Element with Illinois license number P452 967.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Moline Police Department at (309) 797-0401, Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at (309) 762-9500 or their local law enforcement agency.