Man arrested after taking car for ‘test drive’ in Marianna

Marianna police say they arrested a man Friday after he failed to return a car he had taken for a “test drive” and was found passed out in the driver’s seat.

According to a news release from the Marianna Police Department, Courtney Ryan Chalker, no age or address given, went to Chipola Ford and expressed interest in a white Dodge Ram 1500 series truck Friday.

According to a employee, Chalker asked to test drive the truck. But when several hours passed and he failed to return, the employee called police. While searching for the missing vehicle, police said they learned Chalker had called a neighbor and said the truck was stuck in the mud on a dirt road near Greenwood.

According to police, Chalker told the neighbor once the truck was freed that he would return it to the dealership.

“Again, several hours had passed and still Chalker had not returned the vehicle,” the news release stated.

An officer in a patrol car eventually spotted a truck matching the description parked under a carport at 3001 Guyton St.

Marianna police officers and Jackson County sheriff’s deputies approached the vehicle and found Chalker inside, reclined back in the driver’s seat, “apparently passed out,” the news release stated.

An open beer container was in the cup holder, several unopened beers were on the passenger seat and officers noted the smell of alcohol. According to police, Chalker was unable to comply with officers’ requests to exit the vehicle due to his intoxication. He was taken in to custody.

Police learned that Chalker has an outstanding warrant out of Charlotte County for violation of probation, for a previous conviction for driving while license suspended or revoked. He was charged by Marianna police with grand theft of a motor vehicle and was booked at the county jail.

Aside from being plastered with mud, the truck was undamaged and returned to the owner.