COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) - Columbia Police and officials from the Department of Juvenile Justice are looking for two of the three inmates who broke out of a DJJ van in downtown Columbia near an eye doctor's office on Taylor Street.
The inmates, consisting of four juveniles and one teenager who turned 18 Sunday were headed to an doctor's office on Taylor Street when three of the inmates escaped their shackles and handcuffs.
According to DJJ, the escaped individuals are:
Ritchie Rashawri Hicks, 17, is from Clarendon County. Hicks was sent to DJJ for charges of simple assault and a weapons charge of pointing and presenting a firearm at a person. He is serving a 12-18 month sentence and was committed to DJJ in March 2011.
Daetron Diontrae Grant, 18, is from Richland County. He was sent to DJJ for charges of reckless driving and failure to stop for a blue light. Grant is serving an 18-36 month sentence and was committed to DJJ in 2010.
According to DJJ officials, Ja-Quan Brewton, 18, was caught Monday night. He was sent to DJJ for charges of drug possession. Brewton is serving an 18-36 month sentence and was committed to DJJ on July 11, 2011.
According to Columbia Police spokesperson Jennifer Timmons. two of the five inmates in the van opted to stay behind with the van. DJJ officials along with the City of Columbia police are looking for the two remaining escaped juveniles.
The juveniles were wearing green shirts and khaki pants when they first escaped. Police say they shed the green shirts and were wearing white t-shirts and khakis.
If anyone in the community sees the escaped juveniles, they're urged to call 911 immediately.
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