Two charged in Monday night log truck theft case

By Paul Keane

Franklin Advocate

Two suspects are in custody in Adams County after a Monday night chase 
involving a stolen log truck that began in Franklin County.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Tom Tindle, around 9:15 p.m. Monday, deputies were called to 
an incident where a log truck was parked at Roxie Truck Stop had been 
stolen. Tindle said the driver of the log truck parked his truck 
overnight there on a regular basis.

"A witness saw the truck going down Highway 84 and noticed that either a 
brake was locked up or something was dragging the ground and sending 
sparks everywhere," Tindle said. "The owner of the truck was contacted 
and he told the caller that he was at home and wasn't driving the 
truck."

The witness elected to follow the truck, keeping sheriff's deputies 
informed along the way. The truck entered Adams County, where deputies 
there joined in on the chase.

"After entering Adams County, the truck turned off on a side road and 
stopped next to a car," Tindle said. "People got out of the car and into 
the log truck." The sheriff said that vehicle was impounded.

When the transfer of people took place, at least one shot was fired in 
the direction of the witness.

On Tuesday morning, deputies found two men walking along the road. After 
questioning the men, it was learned they had spent the night in the 
woods and they were taken into custody.

Christopher James Payne, 26, of Natchez, and Larry Lamonte Stampley, 23, 
were both taken into custody and transported to the Adams County jail. 
Both men were being charged by Franklin County officials with felony 
taking of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Bond was set at $30,000 for each suspect. Both suspects are also 
expected to face additional charges from Adams County.