ALBANY, NY — A Utica man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle at knifepoint during a test drive Thursday evening.
Anthony Ayala, 23, of Utica, was charged with one count of robbery in the first degree, one count of grand larceny in the third degree and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
Officers responded to 785 Central Avenue around 5 p.m. Thursday for reports of a robbery.
Police learned that a car salesman from Armory Dodge had been conducting a test drive of a 2026 Durango with Ayala.
Toward the end of the test drive, Ayala pulled the vehicle into the lot at 785 Central Avenue, pointed a knife at the victim and demanded the keys, according to police.
The victim complied and exited the vehicle, and Ayala fled eastbound on Central Avenue in the vehicle.
Shortly after the call was dispatched, on-duty officers observed Ayala operating the vehicle in the area of Henry Johnson Boulevard and Washington Avenue and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Ayala failed to comply with the stop and fled, driving onto the sidewalk before continuing eastbound on Central Avenue, police said.
A second traffic stop was initiated in the area of Central Avenue and Lark Street, during which Ayala again refused to comply with multiple commands.
Officers deployed a taser to assist in taking Ayala into custody.
Ayala was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court Friday afternoon and remanded to the Albany County Jail.
