Alleged thief arrested Wednesday

A Staunton teen stole a car to use credit cards he’d stolen from the owner, then found her waiting when he tried to return the vehicle, authorities said.

Augusta County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bryan Layne, 19, Wednesday. Authorities said they suspect more people are connected to the crime.

“Evidently what they did was they took the vehicle, went to use the credit cards and then tried to bring it back before anyone noticed the vehicle was gone,” Sheriff’s Lt. D.M. Back said.

The woman noticed her 2002 Nissan Exterra missing April 26, but spotted a man later that day driving the car slowly along her street, authorities said. When the driver made eye-contact with her, he sped down the street, prompting the victim’s boyfriend to chase him in his own car, police said. Layne got away, police said.

Authorities could not provide further details on how they tracked down Layne.

Authorities also charged Layne with stealing a GPS unit, jewelry, cash and a cell phone along with the credit cards valued at nearly $2,000.