785 Central Avenue in Albany.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A 23-year-old man is behind bars after allegedly pulling a knife on a car salesman during a test drive and stealing a new SUV from an Albany dealership.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Armory Dodge on Central Avenue, according to Albany Police.

Anthony Ayala, 23, of Utica, had been test-driving a 2026 Dodge Durango with a salesman when he pulled back into the dealership lot at 785 Central Avenue. At that point, police said, Ayala pointed a knife at the employee and demanded the keys.

The victim got out of the vehicle, and Ayala allegedly took off eastbound on Central Avenue in the stolen Durango.

Officers spotted the vehicle minutes later near Henry Johnson Boulevard and Washington Avenue and attempted to stop it. Ayala refused to pull over, driving onto a sidewalk before continuing east, police said.

A second traffic stop was made near Central Avenue and Lark Street, where officers said Ayala ignored multiple commands. Police used a TASER device to subdue him and take him into custody.

Ayala was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree grand larceny, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

He was arraigned Friday in Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.