Tracey Bell: Catalina woman denies vehicle theft, resisting police

A South Coast woman has denied allegations she committed a series of Grand Theft Auto-esque crimes, from allegedly stealing a car to resisting the police when they came knocking.

Tracey Bell leaving Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: Tom McGann

A South Coast woman has denied committing a Grand Theft Auto-esque slew of offending, with allegations she stole a car before resisting police.

Tracey Bell, 53, fronted Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, pleading not guilty to vehicle theft and hindering or resisting officers in execution of duty.

Court documents state the alleged offending occurred across two evenings, with the Catalina woman first allegedly stealing a 2009 Holden VE sedan on January 30 this year about 7.30pm.

It is alleged Bell then took the car for a drive across the Batemans Bay area without the consent of the owner.

The vehicle owner contacted police reporting his car as stolen, who promptly began investigations into its alleged theft.

Tracey Bell’s hearing will occur in Batemans Bay Local Court later this year. Picture: Tom McGann

One month later on February 2, police attended Bell’s Catalina property following suspicions she allegedly nicked the car.

However, court documents state Bell hindered and resisted the police during their questioning.

Despite this, she was arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station, where she was then hit with the charges and granted conditional bail.

Bell first appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, represented by Samantha Henry who entered the not guilty pleas on her client’s behalf.

Ms Henry said her client sought to fight the charges in a hearing.

Magistrate Doug Dick did not oppose the request, adjourning the case for hearing at the same court on June 20.

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