Upstate NY man accused of pulling knife during test drive, stealing car

H. Rose Schneider, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS)

ALBANY — A test drive at an Upstate New York car dealership went horribly wrong after the would-be customer pulled a knife on the salesman and drove off with the SUV Thursday, according to city police. The alleged theft led to an apparent low-speed chase and a Taser being fired.

Anthony Ayala, 23, of Utica, was test driving the 2026 Dodge Durango around 5 p.m. at Armory Dodge, according to Albany police. Toward the end of the test drive, he allegedly pulled into a different car lot, pointed a knife at the salesman and demanded the keys. Once the salesman got out of the SUV, Ayala drove east down Central Avenue.