Cadillac Dealer Says, “She Test Drove a New Escalade, Stabbed Our Salesperson Who Was Able To Escape, and Then She Stole the SUV”

It's December, one of the best months to be a Cadillac salesperson. The dealership you work for offers year-end sales incentives and is eager to move out the 2024 Escalade luxury SUVs. A customer arrives, and then something scary happens on a test drive.

I want to buy a new Cadillac Escalade. Can I take a test drive?

Imagine showing up for work at the Cadillac dealer you work for as a salesperson, thinking you'll have a good day. A customer walks into the showroom and says they would like to buy a 2024 Cadillac Escalade and ask if they can take a test drive.

The least expensive Cadillac Escalade has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $83,890 and goes up to $154,290 for the top trim level. Depending on the deal negotiated, a salesperson typically earns between $1,000 and $2,000, so it will be a good day. 

You are already thinking about the holiday gifts you can buy with the commission you'll earn on the sales of this expensive luxury SUV. 

You take a photo of the customer's driver's license, which is the standard procedure for customers taking a test drive, grab the keys for the luxury Escalade SUV, and pull up the vehicle to the front door where the customer is waiting. 

You jump into the passenger seat, tell the well-dressed female customer a few things about the vehicle, and let her know the route you'll be taking. You buckle up, and off you go. 

But things go really bad.  

Here is the report from 3 WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina, which happened recently. 

"A woman, Demika Porterfield, 52, who took a test drive of a Cadillac Escalade was charged with assaulting a Randy Marion Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership employee in Mooresville, N.C. with a knife." 

The assault happened on December 7, 2024. 

"The salesperson was reportedly able to grab the knife, throw it in the back of the vehicle, and escape," according to the Mooresville Police Department.

The report says that when officers responded to the scene, they located the victim, an employee of Randy Marion Chevrolet, "suffering with superficial stab wounds to their hands and face."

The employee was on a test drive in a 2024 Cadillac Escalade with Demika Porterfield "when she produced a knife and stabbed the employee."

The report says the Cadillac dealership employee was able to grab the knife, throw it in the back of the vehicle, and get out of the car.

Police said Porterfield then fled in the vehicle and was later found at an unoccupied rest area.

"After locating the vehicle, officers stayed in the area and located Porterfield after an extensive search."

The report says the 52-year-old woman was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, in addition to robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony larceny.  

In a follow-up story, 3 WBTV says Demika Porterfield was given a $250,000 bond on Monday, December 9, "in connection with multiple charges brought against her over the weekend."

The woman was appointed a public defender for this case and is scheduled to appear in court on January 3, 2025. 

Conclusion. 

Customers going on a test drive at any car dealer should expect the dealer to have certain safety requirements to protect them. Because of issues like Randy Marion Chevrolet-Cadillac experienced, awareness will only be heightened among all auto dealerships. 

How should a car dealer employee protect themselves against assault like this Cadillac dealership employee? 

Auto Success says there are steps for sales professionals to take to protect the customer, themselves, and their dealerships from damage while giving a customer the test drive when considering a vehicle.

It starts at the top.

First and foremost it starts at the leadership level — The responsibility of those in leadership at the dealership is to ensure that their team members and the dealership are protected from possible problems with test drives.

Following proper procedures is critical.

• Get a Copy of the Driver's License — Verify that the customer has a valid driver's license and make a copy, and then set the ground rules for the drive by explaining the duration and the route, discussing the speed limits, and setting expectations. During this time, the customer will also be evaluated. Do they seem impaired?
• Notify Colleagues — Inform team members that you are going out, the route you will take, and the estimated time you'll return. Have a fully charged phone with you at all times.
• Use a Predetermined Route — Have a set course for test drives that keeps you in well-populated areas. This route should offer a variety of driving conditions (stop-start areas, highway drives, etc.) and be made up of a circuit of "right-turn" intersections. Turning left is inherently riskier because of cross traffic. Having a good feel for the route before even meeting the customer can help you offer a better, safer presentation.
• Trust Your Instincts — Don't proceed with the test drive if something feels "off" about the situation. For instance, if a female sales consultant has "a bad feeling" about a male customer, you should excuse yourself and discuss it with management.
• Maintain Situational Awareness — Monitor the driver's behavior and how they operate the vehicle. If they are driving unsafely, end the drive. Have a clear protocol for what to do in case of an emergency, including a discreet way to call for help. Be familiar with the vehicle's security features, such as remote shutdown capabilities if available.

The report says that Randy Marion, Chevrolet-Cadillac's general manager, did not respond to a phone message requesting comment. I am unaware of the procedure that this dealership has in place to protect its employees on a test drive. You can be sure they will be reviewing their protocols. 

You can't make this stuff up.

Here is a story of a customer who had problems after buying a used Subaru Outback and wasn't happy. He asked the Mazda dealer to take the car back, and when they told him it was sold "as is," he returned it by crashing it through the dealer's front door. Read the unbelievable account in my report here. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Randy Marion Chevrolet Cadillac