Woman arrested for taking 21-day ‘test drive’

Bell

A Winnfield woman, who test drove a vehicle in Minden, allegedly took it home with her without paying for it, paving the way for her to go to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

Deborah Kaye Bell, 58, first took a 2014 Buick Encore for a test drive March 11, telling a salesperson at Harper Motors Co. that she was talking to the bank and had been approved to purchase it.

“She didn’t return in the vehicle until March 14,” Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said. “On that date, she told them she had made arrangements for the bank to send a check for the purchase price to the dealership.”

Bell then left in the vehicle again.

By March 27, Harper Motors had still not received a check for the vehicle.

“They tried to call the bank and speak with a loan officer, and the bank advised them Bell did not have a loan through the bank, nor had they ever heard of her,” Cropper said. “After other attempts to reach Bell through a relative, they finally made contact with her on March 31. They advised her to bring back the vehicle that day, but Bell refused.”

A warrant was issued for Bell’s arrest on a charge of unauthorized used of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was located in Winn Parish, where the sheriff’s department made the arrest.

“In getting the warrant, we also learned Bell was wanted by the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office,” Cropper said.

Bell is incarerated at BDCC on a $50,000 bond.