UPDATE: One Escaped Teen Caught; Two Remain At-Large

UPDATE: 7:20 a.m.:

Columbia Police tell WIS-TV that one of the teens has been apprehended at the Hot Spot gas station on Farrow Road. The other two remain at large.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Columbia Police and DJJ officials are searching for the three teens identified as:

• Ritchie Rashawri Hicks, 17, of Clarendon County 
• Daetron Diontrae Grant, 18, of Richland County 
• Ja-Quan Brewton, 19, of Spartanburg County

Hicks, Grant and Brewton were handcuffed and shackled before being loaded into a transport van to be driven to the appointments, according to a press release from DJJ and the Columbia Police Department. Two other DJJ teens were also being transported in the van.

When two DJJ officers escorted them off the van at 2230 Taylor Street around 9:30 a.m., the three teens had taken off their handcuffs and ankle shackles, according to the release. They ran toward Oak Street. 

They were last seen wearing khaki shorts and white t-shirts, according to police.

Hicks was sent to DJJ in March 2011 on charges of simple assault and pointing and presenting a firearm at a person. He is serving a 12 to 18 month sentence.

Grant is serving an 18 to 36 month sentence on charges of reckless driving and failure to stop for a blue light. He was sent to DJJ in February 2010.

Brewton is serving an 18 to 36 month sentence on charges of drug possession. He was sent to DJJ in July 2011.

Anyone who sees the teens or knows of their whereabouts should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.