Woman Faces Felony Charges for Allegedly Stealing and Driving Deceased Man’s Vehicle

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

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

After Joseph’s burial, his widow discovered that a black Chevrolet Malibu was missing. A family member informed her that Florence Testamark, who had worked with Joseph in landscaping and trucking services, had taken the vehicle. The family member had seen Testamark driving the Malibu several times, including at Joseph’s viewing, which led to a verbal altercation between Testamark and Joseph’s daughter, prompting a 911 call.

Following Joseph’s funeral, a family member confronted Testamark again about the vehicle. Testamark claimed that Joseph had promised the car to her granddaughter.

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

On June 2, Joseph’s daughter, who lives in Florida, told police that when her father came to stay with her last November, Testamark had driven him to the airport and was given his keys for safekeeping until his return. Before Joseph passed away, he instructed his daughter to retrieve the keys from Testamark, but the daughter’s attempts to contact Testamark were unsuccessful.

After failing to reach Testamark, a wanted poster was issued. She was located in the Raphune Hill area on Monday night and arrested. Testamark was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and buying, receiving, or possessing stolen property. She was remanded into custody pending her first court appearance.

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

The next hearing for Testamark is scheduled for June 21.