Walhalla Man arrested on Stolen Vehicle Charges

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Walhalla man Monday evening on charges of possessing a stolen vehicle. Besides those charges, 34-year-old Brandon Leon Payne was also charged in a uniform traffic ticket with driving under suspension, explains Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt.  “According to the incident report, an Oconee County Sheriff’s deputy pulled into the Bountyland Quik Stop on Blue Ridge Boulevard near Seneca when he noticed a Gold Ford Windstar Minivan that matched a description of a vehicle reported stolen from the city of Walhalla.  The deputy had dispatch run the tag on the van, which confirmed that it was indeed stolen from Walhalla. The deputy approached the van and asked for the driver’s identification but the driver, who was Payne, told the deputy that he did not have one.  After being asked by the deputy, Payne identified himself and gave the deputy his birthdate.  The deputy passed along Payne’s information to dispatch, who then informed the deputy that Payne’s license was suspended. After some additional questions, the deputy placed Payne under arrest and Walhalla Police was notified.  Arrangements were then made for the vehicle to be picked up.”  According to warrants, Payne did know that the vehicle was stolen.