Woman Arrested for Allegedly Stealing and Driving Deceased Man’s Car

ST. THOMAS – A woman has been arrested and charged for allegedly taking a vehicle from the property of a deceased man and driving it around town, despite attempts by the grieving family to reclaim the car.

On May 24, two women visited the Criminal Investigation Bureau. The widow of Elmo Joseph reported that her husband had passed away in Georgia last December, leaving his vehicles parked on the family’s property in Hospital Ground.

After the burial, Joseph’s widow discovered that a black Chevrolet Malibu was missing. A family member informed her that Florence Testamark, who had previously worked with Joseph in landscaping and trucking, had taken the vehicle.

The family member had seen Testamark driving the Malibu multiple times, including to Joseph’s viewing, which led to a verbal confrontation with Joseph’s daughter. The altercation resulted in a 911 call.

Days after the funeral, Testamark was again confronted by a family member and claimed that Joseph had promised the vehicle to her granddaughter.

In January, a police officer was informed about the situation. The officer spotted the car parked in Hospital Ground and saw Testamark enter the vehicle but was unable to stop her from driving off.

On June 2, police contacted Joseph’s daughter, who resides in Florida. She explained that Testamark had driven her father to the airport last November when he fell ill and had been given his keys for safekeeping. Joseph had instructed his daughter to retrieve the keys from Testamark before he passed away, but she had been unsuccessful. Several attempts to contact Testamark were ignored until she traveled to St. Thomas for her father’s burial.

In person, Testamark denied having the keys.

After multiple failed attempts to reach Testamark, a wanted poster was issued. She was located in the Raphune Hill area on Monday night and arrested. Charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of stolen property, she was remanded into custody pending her first court appearance.

Testamark appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Paula Norkaitis, who set bail at $25,000. She was released ahead of trial upon paying 4 percent of her bail in cash. Testamark is now restricted to the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island district and must report to the probation office twice a week by telephone.

Her next court hearing is scheduled for June 21.