Three people arrested after kidnapping and robbery in Summers County

SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — Three people were arrested in Summers County for charges involving kidnapping and robbery.

32-year-old Lataura E. Jarrett, 32-year-old Wesley S. Taylor, and 24-year-old Jonathan W. Cales, all of the Meadow Bridge/Rainelle area, were arrested charges of Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault During the Commission of a Felony, Malicious Assault, and Conspiracy to Inflict Injury.

Members of the West Virginia State Police – Hinton Detachment received a report on Thursday, July 18, 2024 about an elderly man who was abducted, beaten, and robbed.

After an investigation, troopers found that around Monday, July 15, 2024, 70-year-old Johnny J. Simms was driven to an abandoned house on Redden Hollow Road in Summers County by Jarrett, Taylor, and Cales.

Once they took Simms to the abandoned house, Jarrett, Taylor, and Cales beat and robbed Simms, before tying him up and leaving him at the house without help. On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Simms was able to free himself and leave the house to get help, and was then taken to Charleston Area Medical Center for treatment.

Jarrett, Taylor, and Cales were arrested after troopers obtained warrants for their arrest. Taylor was taken to Central Regional Jail, and Jarrett and Cales were taken to Southern Regional Jail. All three will be held without bond at the jails until their court appearance in Summers County.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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