Weekend chase lands two brothers in jail

Two Oconee County brothers were jailed last weekend after a deputy sheriff chased a motorcycle that he saw moving in an unsafe and reckless manner.  The chase started on s. highway 11 near W. Bear Swamp Road and ended in the Tamassee community with a short foot chase. In all, the chase covered more than 25 miles of roads in the Walhalla, Westminster, Picket Post, Choehee Valley, and Tamassee areas.  The arrested brothers were identified as Robert Edward Payne and the motorcycle operator Rondal Payne.  Each of the Paynes faces multiple charges, including trafficking in methamphetamine against one of the brothers.  Before the motorcycle chase ended, a gray Chevy Astro van tried to collide with a patrol car, according to the sheriff’s office.  The driver of that car was later taken into custody and identified as Robert Edward Payne.