SUV THEFT CHARGE FILED SCV WOMAN ACCUSED OF HEIST IN CARWASH.

Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer

NEWHALL - A woman accused of stealing a new SUV from a carwash and leaving an older one in its place was charged Tuesday with grand theft auto.

Christine Henry, 35, did not enter a plea during a hearing at the Santa Clarita branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court. She remained in custody in lieu of $30,000 bail, with her next court appearance scheduled for Aug. 12.

Henry was arrested at her Agua Dulce home Saturday, one day after deputies said she drove away in a Canyon Country couple's Toyota Highlander while her own 1995 Isuzu Trooper - containing her wallet, credit cards and other documents - was being dried off.

Deputy District Attorney David R. Lopez said the circumstances of the case were so ``weird'' that they raised questions about the suspect's state of mind.

Henry's public defender, Bernie LaForteza, did not return phone calls.

Facing deputies at her front door at 9 a.m. Saturday, the mother of three told authorities she traded in her old vehicle the previous day for the new sport utility vehicle, authorities said. Henry later admitted that she had taken the Toyota Highlander from the carwash, seizing an opportunity to upgrade to a newer car.

The Highlander, owned by Brian and Nicole Kim, was recovered, authorities said. The temporary registration had been removed from the windshield and the odometer had climbed by more than 100 miles.

Henry could face up to three years in prison if she is convicted.