ST. THOMAS — A Florida man arrested last week for taking a car without the owner’s permission will have to cough up $25,000 if he wants to be released from the Bureau of Corrections, a judge decided on Friday.

A man reported his vehicle stolen on February 8, telling police that the day prior, he had parked his 2015 Acura in front of Willy’s Wood Craft and left it there. When he returned the following day, the vehicle was missing. The man says he had no knowledge of who could have taken the vehicle nor did he give anyone permission to take it. He told police that the vehicle was fitted with a tracker, but when officers went in search of the vehicle in its last known location, it could not be found. 

Two other officers were in the Nisky Shopping Center when they spotted the missing vehicle leaving the area. The officers notified 911 Dispatch, and trailed the vehicle to the roadway near the rear of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), where they effected a traffic stop. 

The driver, later identified as Florida resident Christian Del Guidice, was detained for questioning before being arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and not having a valid driver’s license.

In court on Friday,  government prosecutors and the police told the presiding judge that Del Guidice had no proper identifying documents, and also that police records from the mainland indicated extensive previous exposure to the criminal justice system, with numerous warrants for his arrest.

Taking these arguments into account, knowing all of these facts, the judge ruled that Del Guidice would only be released if he could post his $25,000 bail in full. He is barred from leaving the St. Thomas- St. John District and must turn in his Florida driver’s license. If he is to be released, he must also give written notice of where he lives or can be found. He must report to the probation office once a week.

Del Guidice is to have no contact with the victim. He is prohibited from using alcohol or any controlled substance as well as possessing a firearm, ammunition or dangerous weapon. He must also stay at least 100 ft away from Woody’s Wood Craft. His next court appearance is on March 3, 2023.

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