NORTH SMITHFIELD – A North Providence man is facing felony charges after taking a car from Anchor Nissan for a test drive that allegedly lasted more than 16 hours.
Ian Marsland, 53, of North Providence has been charged with larceny of more than $10,000 and possession of a stolen vehicle – and it’s not the first time he’s involved in such an incident.
According to a store employee, Marsland walked into the Eddie Dowling Highway dealership around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and asked to test drive a 2018 Nissan Maxima. When he hadn’t returned hours later, staff attempted to call the customer, but told police that Marsland didn’t pick up the phone.
Marsland reportedly texted one staff member that he was taking the vehicle to Cranston to show it to his daughter. Anchor employees called police, and Marsland’s car, a 2000 Pathfinder valued at $1,000, was impounded.
At around 10:30 p.m. that night Marsland texted another store employee stating, “call me ASAP, you &#$&ers cost the american tax payer $88,000 2 nite,” according to information provided to police.
North Smithfield officers noted that a similar report was filed against Marsland in August at Balise Auto in Warwick. He was later arrest for that incident in Lincoln on a warrant.
Marsland reportedly returned to the Anchor dealership the following morning, handed over the keys to the Maxima, and began looking for his car.
When police returned to the dealership, Marsland said the incident was a misunderstanding, and that he was told the business closed at 9 p.m.
Anchor staff said they wished to press charges.
