A group of men, including one believed to be armed with a gun, are on the run after a home invasion prompted police to swarm a suburban street.
Tactical officers were called to a house in Sydney's southwest about 8am on Friday, after reports four men were seen kicking down the door and entering the property.
The men were wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.
A dark-coloured vehicle they parked outside fled before police arrived.
A perimeter was set up around the home on Wollongbar Avenue at Panania until police determined the house was empty.
"To anyone who is still inside, this is the police," tactical officers could be heard saying over a megaphone in video from the scene.
"Make your way to the front door with nothing in your hands and follow the police instructions."
A 24-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman at the home are being interviewed by detectives.
The man was believed to have been punched before a "large sum" of cash was stolen from the property.
Police are confident it was a targeted robbery and have appealed for information including dashcam footage, but urged the public not to approach the group.
"We are looking for four aggressive, dangerous men, who may be armed with a firearm," Superintendent Rodney Hart said.
The scene is near a childcare centre, but Supt Hart said police were communicating with staff throughout the operation.
"At no time were any of the children or the staff members in any danger," he said.
The reports of a firearm triggered the high-level police response.
"We take that at the highest level and we will do everything we can to ensure the public's safety but also the safety of the police involved in the operation," Supt Hart said.
A number of people who are known to police are believed to be linked to the property.
"That will form the investigation about what holdings we have around the premises, anyone who has a past history with it, or any of the occupants," Supt Hart said.
