RANSON, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man has been arrested after allegedly injuring a police chief in Virginia, carjacking a work van, and leading police on a multi-jurisdictional car chase through parts of Virginia and West Virginia.
The Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office said Middletown Police Chief Gary Benedict answered a call around 9:00 a.m. Tuesday regarding a missing phone that had been tracked to the 7-Eleven convenience store in Middletown. The chief was talking to a suspect when the man, later identified as Juan Vashaun Payne, 51, fled the scene, striking the chief with his vehicle.
Payne reportedly abandoned his 2017 Toyota RAV4 in the travel lane of northbound 1-81.
“As traffic slowed and merged to get around the RAV4, Payne opened the passenger door on a white work van and requested a ride to the next exit,” according to the sheriff’s office, which said once there, Payne took the van at knifepoint and drove off on Rt. 277 toward Clarke County.
The Virginia State Police joined local authorities pursuing the van in Clarke County. The chase crossed into West Virginia. Payne allegedly struck several West Virginia law enforcement vehicles and at least one civilian vehicle during the chase.
At 10:38, the crash ended in Ranson where authorities took Payne into custody.
Payne was already wanted on a capias warrant out of Winchester, Va. He now faces Frederick County charges of Felony assault on Law Enforcement, Felony hit & run, Felony Carjacking, and Grand Larceny.
Tuesday in Jefferson County Magistrate Court, Payne was arraigned on felony charges including fleeing from law enforcement officer in vehicle causing bodily injury and Receiving or transferring stolen vehicle.
Payne is being held in the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.
In addition, there will be charges stemming from the pursuit in Clarke County according to the FCSO.
Chief Benedict was transported to Winchester Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.