News 12 at 11 o'clock / Thursday, August 18, 2011

ALLENDALE, S.C. -- Lacy Allens' hunting trip was cut short today, but he's still holding his rifle close.

"Oh yeah, definitely have to hold this here tight tonight," he said of his gun.

Thursday afternoon, law enforcement officers searched through the woods as a chopper searched over his home in Sycamore, S.C.

"It's probably been flying back and forth for the past hour -- hour and a half," he told News 12.

It's all part of the search to find an escaped inmate, Perry Alton Sullivan, 37, from Bowersville, Ga.

"Please do not approach the individual because he is considered armed and dangerous," warned Lt. Steven Robinson of the Allendale County Sheriff's Office.

It all started Thursday morning when a Stephens County, Ga., deputy was transporting Sullivan, the prisoner, from Colleton County, S.C., back to Stephens County. They pulled over in Allendale, when the inmate claimed he was feeling ill. That's when Sullivan broke from the handcuffs and beat the deputy.

"The inmate did secure his service weapon, which is a 40-caliber Glock and also took the deputy's car," Robinson said.

He also is now armed with a shotgun that was in the deputy's car. The search continues across the region.

"We've had the National Guard helicopter up, which the sheriff was flying with them, and we have combed the entire area," Robinson said. "SLED helicopter is here now, and they are going to be flying some more, and we're doing everything we can to find this individual."

They were able to locate the deputy's vehicle on Bethel Church Road in Allendale County, which Sullivan hijacked near Sycamore. As for Sullivan, he's still on the loose as of Thursday night.

"We want him. We want to get him off the streets," the lieutenant said.

As for the deputy, Robinson says despite some bruises, he's OK.

Bloodhounds from surrounding counties were on the scene in Allendale County.

Lieutenant Robinson says Allendale will likely charge Sullivan with grand theft, assaulting a police officer and escape from police custody.

His destination is unclear at this point, but he may be headed to Bamberg County or Stephens County, Ga.

Sullivan is a white man, 5'10", 160 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He has a tattoo of a coffin with wings on his neck as well as a skull on his right and left arms.

Stay with News 12 for the latest on this story.