Middletown Incident Leads to Police Pursuit in Ranson Area
Virginia carjacking pursuit ends in Jefferson County
The Journal | Wednesday, October 8, 2025
In Ranson, an investigation into a stolen cellphone in Middletown escalated when the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Juan Vashaun Payne from Martinsburg, fled the scene, injuring the Middletown Police Chief Gary Benedict in the process. The incident began at a local 7-11 store and led to a pursuit involving multiple injuries and damaged vehicles, underscoring safety concerns within the region's communities.
