Woman accused of stealing Tesla allegedly offered man $60 to take her on test drive

A 20-year-old Detroit woman accused of stealing a Tesla in Troy and leading police on a chase through multiple counties last week paid a man $60 to take the car on a test drive with her, according to police.

Areyon Niley McKay, 20, was charged last Wednesday in 52-4 District Court in Troy with several crimes, including fleeing to elude police and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle.

A judge set her bond at $20,000 and scheduled a probable cause conference for Nov. 2. 

Troy police said officers were called at about 7 p.m. last week Monday to the Tesla dealership on Big Beaver Road for a report that a test drive vehicle had been stolen.

They spoke to an employee who told them a man had come into the store with a woman and asked to test drive a Tesla Model Y. The man identified himself and told employees he would drive the vehicle and the woman would be his passenger.

After 30 minutes, the man returned and told the store employees that the woman he was with had taken the vehicle.

Officers questioned the man and he told them he had just met the woman that day. He also said she offered him $60 to take a Tesla out on a test drive for her because she didn't have a license, police said.

According to the man, as the test drive was ending, she got into the driver's seat and then drove away. He told police he tried to get back into the car, but was unable.

Officers were able to track the vehicle with the help of the store's employees.

Detroit Police officers and Michigan State Police troopers attempted to stop the vehicle a number of times. Finally, troopers were able to stop the vehicle with a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver on the Interstate 94 service drive in Harper Woods, officials said.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CharlesERamirez