Ranson Pursuit: Martinsburg Man Carjacks Van and Injures Police Chief
Martinsburg Man Injures Police Chief, Carjacks Work Van and Leads Police on a Multi-Jurisdictional Pursuit
The Panhandle News Network | Wednesday, October 8, 2025
In a shocking incident in Ranson, a Martinsburg man named Juan Vashaun Payne injured Middletown Police Chief Gary Benedict during a carjacking and subsequent multi-jurisdictional chase. After striking the chief with his vehicle while fleeing a police investigation at a 7-11, Payne stole a work van at knifepoint, evading capture through Clarke County and West Virginia before being apprehended. He faces multiple felony charges including assault and carjacking, and was arraigned in Jefferson County Magistrate Court, where he pleaded not guilty. Chief Benedict was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, highlighting the dangerous nature of the incident that unfolded in proximity to local law enforcement communities.