A Sioux Falls man who traded in a truck he didn’t own for an SUV he claimed he gave to an exotic dancer has been charged with theft.

Frances Allen Miller, 67, was charged this week, but the alleged fraud began with the purchase of a vehicle over a year ago.

Court documents indicate that a T&L Auto salesperson told police Miller purchased a 2004 Chevy Blazer from the lot in March 2013, offering a 1987 Chevy C-10 truck on the market.

After giving Miller $ 4,210 for the exchange, Miller and the seller signed an agreement that would allow the buyer to pay the remaining cost of the Blazer – $ 2,790 – by June.

Miller never made any payment, the documents say, and the dealer soon learned that the pickup he traded in had a North American Title Loans lien. The truck was picked up that summer.

When called by an SFPD detective in July 2013, Miller told the detective that he gave the 2004 Blazer to a Minnesota dancer who worked at “Scarlett’s bar”.

He said he would collect the dancer’s SUV with it in a day or two and return it to T&L to settle his debt.

The vehicle was never returned, a fact confirmed by a follow-up call from the SFPD in February. Miller still hadn’t made a payment either.

Miller was charged with one count of robbery this week. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

A number listed for Miller in Sioux Falls was disconnected on Friday. A T&L representative said the salesperson who worked with Miller no longer worked for the dealership.