MY DOPPELGANGER DID IT, WOMAN TELLS COURT:

A WOMAN has blamed a doppelganger for landing her behind bars after she was charged with stealing cars that had been advertised on Facebook.

Kelly Palmer is accused of fleeing with two vehicles while test driving them in Geelong and Tarneit earlier this year.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard the 37year-old flatly denied involvement in the thefts and instead blamed a “known lookalike”, who she claimed had access to her phone and Facebook account.

Ms Palmer, of no fixed address, was arrested on Saturday at a motel on Fyans St after police were called to the scene over a payment dispute.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Siobhan Daly said officers who attended the callout soon realised there was an active warrant for Ms Palmer’s arrest. She said it related to the two alleged car thefts, which involved a Mazda CX7 and a Lexus sedan.

It is alleged Ms Palmer was test driving the Mazda in Norlane on July 16 when she complained of a possible flat tyre.

Sen-Constable Daly said the vehicle’s owner stepped out of the car to check the tyre, before Ms Palmer allegedly sped away. She allegedly performed a similar stunt while driving the Lexus in Tarneit.

Sen-Constable Daly said the two vehicles had a combined value of $22,000 and were yet to be recovered.

While being interviewed by police, Ms Palmer denied all of the allegations levelled at her and claimed the real offender was a woman she knew who was identical to her.

Sen-Constable Daly opposed bail, citing concerns that Ms Palmer was homeless and using ice. Representing herself, Ms Palmer pleaded to be released on bail, arguing she needed to be out of custody to care for her young daughter.

But Magistrate Peter Mellas refused Ms Palmer’s application after she failed to produce any evidence to support her claim.

Ms Palmer was remanded in custody until August 27.