Man Steals Cadillac During Test-Drive, Makes It His Home: Police

WEST ALLIS, WI — A 42-year-old Shorewood man has been arrested and charged after police say he took a Cadillac for a test drive, and never returned.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, James Powless has been charged with one count of felony theft. If convicted, Powless faces up to three years behind bars, and up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

According to the complaint, West Allis police officers were called to the A1 Motors car dealership at 7623 W. Greenfield Ave. on a report of a stolen vehicle.

Police said an A1 Motors employee said a customer, later identified as Powless, was allowed to take a test drive of a black 2009 Cadillac CTS on Feb. 6 under the false name Jayson Lee Neveaux. When "Neveaux" never returned with the car, the employee called police.

According to the criminal complaint, an officer on patrol found the Cadillac, stating that the car had a license plate that listed to a 2000 silver Chevrolet Malibu from a vehicle that had been stolen in Oconomowoc.

Police said the officer ran the Cadillac's VIN number, only to learn it was the vehicle that was stolen from A1 Motors.

According to the criminal complaint, when investigators questioned Powless, he told officers that he took the vehicle from a dealership during a test drive and never returned it, saying also that he was homeless and had been living in the vehicle since he took it.

Police said officers found 0.2 grams of cocaine in a clear plastic bag in the cabin of the car at the time of the traffic stop.