4 Birmingham runaway teens charged in armed carjacking in West Virginia; 1 caught, 3 wanted

A 14-year-old runaway Birmingham boy is in custody and three others are wanted after police say they tried to carjack someone at gunpoint in West Virginia.

Birmingham police said Tuesday that the four boys were released from an inpatient facility over the weekend.

East Precinct officers responded shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday to a report of juveniles running away from the facility on the city’s east side. The name of the establishment has not been released.

Police identified the runaways as: Romaine Lovins, a 14-year-old black male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds; Hayden Payne, a 16-year-old white male, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds; Samuel Richey, a 16-year-old white male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 135 pounds and Breland Zainerrian, a 13-year-old black male, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 135 pounds.

Huntington police officials said Wednesday afternoon that the 14-year-old was in custody there for an attempted robbery that occurred Tuesday.

Police said they are still looking for Payne, Richey and Zainerrian.

“The three juveniles are wanted for first-degree robbery and are considered armed and dangerous,” police said.

Tuesday at 5:25 p.m., Huntington Police responded to an attempted robbery in the 1300 block of 6th Avenue.

The victim said she was forced out of her vehicle by physical force and at gunpoint by four individuals.

The individuals unsuccessfully attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle during the incident. The individuals fled the scene when the victim called 911.

Anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts is urged to call 911 or the Huntington Police Department’s anonymous line at 304-696-4444.