Winchester, VA – A Martinsburg man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly assaulting a police chief, stealing vehicles, and leading officers on a multi-state pursuit Tuesday morning, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the incident began in Middletown when Police Chief Gary Benedict responded to a report of a missing cellphone around 9:30 a.m. The suspect, later identified as Juan Vashaun Payne, 41, allegedly struck Chief Benedict with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
As deputies and state police converged, Payne reportedly abandoned his 2017 Toyota RAV4 on Interstate 81, then carjacked a white work van at knifepoint. The chase continued through Clarke County and into West Virginia, where Payne allegedly struck law enforcement and civilian vehicles before being taken into custody around 10:38 a.m.
Chief Benedict was treated at Winchester Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Payne, who was already wanted on a capias warrant out of Winchester, now faces charges including Felony Assault on Law Enforcement, Felony Hit-and-Run, Felony Carjacking, and Grand Larceny.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said additional charges are pending for actions during the cross-state pursuit. Payne remains in custody in West Virginia as of Tuesday evening.
