A Woman Arrested in New York State After Taking Vehicle on Lengthy Test Drive

A woman in New York state has been arrested after she took a vehicle from a used car dealership and ended up 200 miles away, according to police. Theresa A. Price, 48, from Utica, arrived at a used car dealership in Otesego County on Thursday, September 14 and said she wanted to take a vehicle on a test drive.

Unusual Test Drive Leads to Arrest

Theresa A. Price’s innocent-looking test drive turned out to be a criminal act that landed her behind bars. The incident took place on September 14 in Otesego County, New York State. Price, a 48-year-old woman from Utica, visited a used car dealership and expressed her interest in test driving a vehicle. However, what started as a common procedure turned into a major search operation when Price failed to return the car to the dealership. The New York State Police were notified the following day, triggering a state-wide search for Price and the stolen vehicle.

Journey Along the I-90

Investigations by the New York State Police revealed that Theresa A. Price had indeed taken the dealership vehicle on a long drive. She had driven along the I-90 on the New York State Thruway and was eventually found with the stolen vehicle at a truck stop in the town of Pembroke, just east of Buffalo, approximately 200 miles away from the dealership. It remains unclear why Price decided to venture so far with the stolen car. Her intention to have the vehicle checked by her mechanic, who was supposedly down the street, took an unexpected turn.

Third-Degree Grand Larceny Charges

As a result of her actions, Theresa A. Price was arrested by officers from the New York State Police. She was charged with third-degree grand larceny, which is considered a class D felony in the state. The seriousness of the charge means that Price could face severe consequences for her crime. A class D felony in New York State encompasses a range of offenses, including fraud, theft, robbery, burglary, and, in specific cases, manslaughter. The charges may be reduced or increased depending on the case and evidence presented in court.

Understanding Third-Degree Grand Larceny

In the context of New York State law, third-degree grand larceny mainly relates to the theft of property valued between $3,000 and $50,000. However, the exact value of the stolen vehicle remains unknown at this time. Sentencing for non-violent class D felonies typically involves a maximum of seven years in jail or, alternatively, no jail probation. On the other hand, those found guilty of a violent class D felony can face a prison sentence ranging from two to seven years. The severity of these penalties illustrates the importance of taking grand larceny cases seriously.

Grand Larceny: A Persistent Issue in New York State

Although certain serious crimes in New York State have decreased, grand larceny continues to be a prevalent criminal issue. In March of this year alone, New York City recorded 4,129 instances of grand larceny, representing a slight increase compared to the same month in 2022 when 4,113 cases were reported. Vehicle-related grand larceny, known as grand larceny auto, also saw an alarming 14.3 percent rise with 1,178 cases in March, compared to 1,031 cases in March 2022. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for effective measures to combat grand larceny across the state.

The Fight Against Grand Larceny

Authorities are constantly working to address the issue of grand larceny in New York State. The New York City Police Commissioner, Keechant L. Sewell, acknowledged the persistent nature of the crime in a statement on the March crime statistics. While celebrating the decrease in five out of seven index crime categories during the first quarter, Sewell emphasized the need to tackle felony assaults and grand larceny auto that remain major areas of concern. Stronger prevention strategies, community engagement, and effective law enforcement are essential in the ongoing fight against grand larceny.