Duo who used fake lease to get WAPA power turned back on arrested

CHRISTIANSTED — A mother-son combination used a fake lease in order to get the mother’s electricity turned back on due to nonpayment were arrested on Monday.

Renee Coates, 45, and Jahmoy Martinez, 25, of Estate St. John, were arrested and charged with forgery, filing or recording forged instruments, and fraudulent claims upon the government, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.

he case began on March 4, 2024, when the Economic Crimes Unit began investigating a forgery complaint about an incident that took place on November 2, 2023, according to the VIPD.