A North Augusta man wanted for carjacking was pursued by police but escaped arrest Wednesday, despite crashing into the back of a North Augusta business during the chase, officials said.

Anthony Tashawn Perry, 24, of Celeste Circle, was headed south on Knox Avenue at Old Edgefield Road around 11:45 a.m. when an officer attempted to stop the suspect, who was driving a gold 2002 Ford Explorer.

As the officer initiated the stop, the suspect abruptly turned left onto Old Edgefield and again left onto Euclid Avenue, officials said.

The suspect then turned left into a wooded area, driving north across Sycamore Drive and into the parking lot of O'Reilly Auto Parts, police said. He continued around to the rear of the building and crashed into the back of the building of the North Augusta Chiropractic business.

The suspect took off running, police said.

A check of the vehicle showed it had been stolen in a separate incident, unrelated to the carjacking, officials said.

Federal agents, North Augusta Public Safety officers, the Aiken Bloodhound Team and Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputies searched the area but were unable to find the driver.

Perry has an extensive criminal history that includes several drug arrests, weapons charges and receiving stolen goods.

If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of this suspect, call the North Augusta Department of Public Safety at (803) 279-2121.

Do not approach Perry, police warn.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.