Utica man charged with armed robbery in Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany Police arrested a Utica man on Thursday as a result of a robbery investigation. Anthony Ayala, 23, faces felony charges.

On November 6 around 5 p.m., police responded to 785 Central Avenue after receiving a report of a robbery. Arriving officers spoke with the victim, a car salesman with Armory Dodge, who stated that he had been on a test drive with Ayala for a 2026 Durango when Ayala stopped the car in the parking lot of 785 Central Avenue and allegedly brandished a knife.

The salesman told police that Ayala coerced him into handing over the keys and exiting the car before Ayala fled east on Central Avenue in the stolen vehicle. A short time later, Albany Police found Ayala driving the Durango and tried to pull him over near Henry Johnson Boulevard and Washington Avenue, but officers said he drove off, straying onto the sidewalk as he left.

Officers conducted another traffic stop after locating Ayala in the vicinity of Central Avenue and Lark Street. During the stop, Ayala reportedly refused to comply with law enforcement commands, leading to him being tased and taken into custody.

Ayala was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree grand larceny, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was held at the Albany County Jail following his arraignment at Albany City Criminal Court on Friday afternoon.