THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A Thomas County man remained at large early Thursday afternoon as lawmen searched from the air and on the ground.

Justin James Burton was sought in Grady County in a burglary.

“He ran from Grady County Wednesday in a chase. They lost him,” Capt. Steven Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said.

On Thursday morning, a Thomas County investigator spotted Burton’s vehicle and chased the car on St. Paul Road. Near St. Paul’s intersection with Dillon Road, Burton’s vehicle left the highway and traveled into a field. Burton abandoned the car and fled into nearby woods.

Losing his shoes as he ran, Burton is believed to have run into a swampy area in the woods.

At 1:30 p.m. Thursday, a Georgia State Patrol helicopter participating in the search was refueling to continue the manhunt.

“We’re searching a wetland,” Jones said.

Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division agents, sheriff’s office investigators and patrol unit and the Thomasville Police Department canine and officer also searched for Burton.

In the past, Burton, 30, 103 Pine Lane, has been charged in Thomas County with theft by taking and two counts of theft by receiving stolen property.

“He has run before when the (Thomas County) sheriff’s office attempted to arrest him,” Jones said.

Burton — shoeless — was wearing a white T-shirt and long pants when he fled.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820