Kidnapping and robbery investigation underway in Summers County

SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – State Police in Hinton received a complaint Thursday about an elderly man who was kidnapped, beaten and robbed.

During the investigation, it emerged that three people from the Meadow Bridge/Rainelle area had taken 70-year-old Johnny J. Simms to an abandoned home in Summers County on Monday.

The individuals were identified as Lataura E. Jarrett, 32, Wesely S. Taylor, 32, and Johnathan W. Cales, 24.

After taking Simms to the Redden Hollow Road apartment, Jarrett, Taylor and Cales severely beat him and robbed him of his money. They then tied Simms up with rope and left him there. At some point on Wednesday, Simms managed to free himself and get help.

Jarrett, Taylor and Cales were arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbery, assault during the commission of a serious felony, willful injury and conspiracy to inflict bodily harm.

Taylor is currently being held at the Central Regional Jail, and Jarrett and Cales are being held at the Southern Regional Jail. All three are currently being held without bail pending their court appearances.

The investigation is ongoing and we will keep you updated as soon as we learn more.