3 teens in custody after Alabama to Huntington crime spree

UPDATE 5/9/24 @ 6:20 p.m.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Three teens who were on the run after a crime spree, including the attempted armed robbery of a restaurant employee in Huntington, were taken into custody late Thursday afternoon in Alabama, Kenova Police Chief Bob Sullivan said.

He said the boys, who range from ages 13 to 16, were captured after a high-speed pursuit that resulted in the boys crashing on a highway.

The boys ran into a wooded area before they were caught, according to Sullivan, who was notified by Alabama authorities.

According to the Huntington Police Department, the boys were arrested in Cullman County, Alabama. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office told Gray Television affiliate WBRC that the suspects were stopped on a county road in the Gold Ridge area of Alabama.

A fourth boy who had escaped from a treatment facility in East Birmingham, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday, HPD said.

Police say their crime spree across the nearly 530 miles between Birmingham and Huntington included stealing guns and cars, as well as the attempted armed robbery of a restaurant employee in the 1300 block of 6th Avenue in Huntington on Tuesday evening.

Restaurant employee escapes attempted robbery in Huntington

Before the boys were arrested, the Huntington Police Department released their names and photos due to the danger to the public. HPD has since removed them and so has WSAZ.

UPDATE 5/9/24 @ 11 a.m.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - We are learning new details in the case of wanted teens on the run from a treatment facility in Alabama who attempted to steal a woman’s car in Huntington.

Kenova Police Department Chief Bob Sullivan says the teens were caught on security video breaking into a gun store in Kenova a little after 9 p.m. Monday.

The chief says the juveniles stole three or four guns from the store.

Candy Gelinas owns a barbershop across the street from the gun store.

“Knowing they came from Alabama, it’s really crazy and scary that things like that are happening around here,” Gelinas said. “Even in Small Town USA, you’re never exempt from it. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Sullivan says they were able to talk with the attorney of the 14-year-old suspect who was caught and arrested and learned the teens had been trying to get to Louisville.

The chief says the suspects shot through the rear door of a vape shop along Route 60 in Huntington but were unable to get inside.

He says the teens fled the facility in Alabama in a stolen car, and then stole another car in Kentucky.

He says the original stolen vehicle was recovered in Kentucky.

“They have no money and no phones,” Sullivan said. “People this young rarely plan well in escapes.”

The chief says the ATF and FBI are involved with the investigation and search for the remaining three suspects, whose last known location is Huntington.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday, and three other teens are wanted in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a restaurant employee Tuesday in Huntington, according to the Huntington Police Department.

The incident in Huntington happened around 5:30 Tuesday evening at La Famiglia, a restaurant in the 1300 block of 6th Avenue.

Police say the boys still on the run are considered to be armed and dangerous.

The boys, two 16 years old and the third 13, all are wanted for first-degree robbery, according to HPD. Police released their names and photos in the interest of public safety.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday, and three other teens are wanted in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a restaurant employee Tuesday in Huntington, according to the Huntington Police Department.

Police say the boys still on the run are considered to be armed and dangerous. All four are runaways from Alabama, HPD Chief Phil Watkins said. Birmingham (Alabama) Police tell WSAZ the boys escaped from a treatment facility in East Birmingham.

The boys, two 16 years old and the third 13, all are wanted for first-degree robbery, according to HPD. Police released their names and photos in the interest of public safety.

Birmingham Police Public Information Officer Truman Fitzgerald said “these males are an immediate and dangerous threat to anyone in the public who comes into contact with them.”

Birmingham Police said the teens ran away from a medical treatment facility in East Birmingham and made their way to Huntington -- a nearly 530-mile drive. Officer Fitzgerald said that treatment facility is cooperating with the investigation.

The incident in Huntington happened around 5:30 Tuesday evening at La Famiglia, a restaurant in the 1300 block of 6th Avenue.

Maggie Rawn says she’d just gotten into her car to go home after work when four males knocked on her window, opened her door, and dragged her out of the car.

Restaurant employee escapes attempted robbery in Huntington

She says one of them pointed a gun in her face while the others tried to steal her purse. She tells WSAZ she was able to keep her purse and run back into the restaurant.

“The most important thing was I remembered my keys were in my purse, so I tried not to let them get my purse,” Rawn said. “Once I got my purse, I was like ‘I’m good to just go.’”

Jordan Hagy, the co-owner of the restaurant, says after Rawn ran back inside, the kitchen staff ran out and apparently scared off the suspects before police arrived.

“It’s our thirteenth year of business,” Hagy said. “We’ve never had an issue like this. I’ve always felt safe here, but this is definitely something that makes you stop and think about your day-to-day activity. A crime that occurs in broad daylight makes you think about the mindset of these individuals. They don’t care to do this stuff or be seen, people who are desperate. When people are desperate, you really just have to watch yourself and be defensive.”

Birmingham Police PIO Truman Fitzgerald also said the youths either burglarized or robbed a gun store on their way to Huntington and apparently got their hands on a gun or multiple guns.

“This is a public safety emergency regardless of how old they are,” Fitzgerald said. “They have shown that they are willing to commit adult crimes and they should be treated as adult criminals at this point, and anyone who comes into contact with them, we can’t stress enough, please call 911 immediately.”

Anyone with information about the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to call 911 or HPD’s tip line at 304-696-4444.