The police came and looked for them.

[wowenglish1]

Is there any difference in meaning between "1" and "2"?
1. The police came and looked for them.
2. The police came looking for them.

 

[Tdol]

Not much, but #1 suggests they were less likely to have found them IMO.

 

[sergeyrais]

Is there any difference in meaning between "1" and "2"?
1. The police came and looked for them.
2. The police came looking for them.

I'll try to explain it as I see it:

1. The police came and looked for them. - One action (coming) was over, and then the second action (looking for them) started.

2. The police came looking for them. - Two actions (coming and looking for them) were simultaneous.