Man Arrested After Driving Car into Dealership Following Return Denial

SANDY, Utah — In a bizarre turn of events, a man was taken into custody after intentionally crashing a car he purchased into the storefront of a dealership in Sandy. The incident unfolded at Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne, where Michael Murray, 35, bought a vehicle on Monday morning, only to return hours later claiming it was a “lemon.”

What Happened?

According to Sandy Police, Murray visited the dealership after allegedly discovering what he believed were mechanical issues with the Subaru Outback he had bought. Despite his plea to return the car, the management at Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne refused, citing that the vehicle was sold “as is.”

Customer’s Threat and Dealership’s Response

Frustrated by the denial, Murray reportedly threatened to drive through the dealership’s front door if his demands were not met. Tyler Slade, a platform manager at the dealership, recalled the tense moment, stating, “We’re like, ‘Woah, we don’t need to do that.’ Sit down, we can figure this out, we can find a solution.”

Slade revealed that the dealership did offer Murray a refund or a different car before the situation escalated. He emphasized that Murray was informed beforehand about the car needing additional work post-purchase.

Impact of the Incident

Fortunately, despite the dramatic turn of events, no injuries were reported among the seven salesmen present near the front door when Murray drove through. However, the dealership faced an estimated $10,000 in damages as a result of the crash.

Reflecting on the chaotic moments leading up to the crash, Slade shared, “I was actually just outside the building, but the noise, you can imagine, was a big bang and a lot of scrambling employees and there was a lot of shuffling going on the last minute before the customer rammed through the front door.”

Legal Consequences

Following the incident, Murray was arrested and now faces charges of felony criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. He spoke with Inside Edition to provide his side of the story, shedding light on the events that transpired.

As investigations continue into this unusual case, the community remains stunned by the drastic actions taken by Murray in response to his dissatisfaction with the vehicle purchase. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.