ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A violent bank robbery was thwarted in mere minutes Friday afternoon after St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies utilized high-tech license plate reader (LPR) technology to track down the suspect.
Just after 3 p.m. on Oct. 16, a man identified by authorities as 32-year-old Hubert Estelle entered the Regions Bank on St. Johns Common Parkway. Witnesses reported that the suspect, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a face mask and gloves, brandished an AR-15-style rifle and demanded cash, threatening employees with violence. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect fled the scene in a white Audi sedan. Bank staff noted that the vehicle had its license plate obscured by white tape.
Despite the attempt to hide the car’s identity, the robbery was solved almost immediately. According to the Sheriff’s Office, their Real Time Intelligence Center—which monitors traffic cameras and LPR systems—had already captured the vehicle on camera prior to the robbery, before the suspect had covered the plate.
Armed with this information, investigators tracked the vehicle as it left the area. By 3:23 p.m.—just 15 minutes after the robbery was reported—deputies located the white Audi at the Ascend Luxury Apartments on Mossy Pine Lane.
The St. Johns County SWAT team quickly surrounded the apartment complex, evacuating residents from the building as a safety precaution. Officers breached the residence, located Estelle inside, and took him into custody without further incident. A search of the apartment revealed the AR-15-style rifle used in the holdup, as well as the clothing seen on surveillance footage during the robbery.
Sheriff Rob Hardwick praised the rapid response and the effectiveness of the department’s surveillance tools in preventing the situation from escalating.
“The suspect committed a violent armed robbery involving a high-powered assault rifle,” Sheriff Hardwick said. “This incident is a clear example of how technology is critical when crime occurs. Traffic cameras and license plate reader technology gave our personnel the tools to quickly identify the vehicle and narrow down the suspect’s whereabouts before additional businesses were threatened or anyone was harmed.”
Hardwick noted the department’s awareness of public debate surrounding privacy and LPR technology, stating the department is “committed to using it responsibly.”
Estelle is now facing several serious charges, including Armed Robbery with a Firearm, Grand Theft, five counts of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony, and Wearing a Mask or Hood While Committing a Felony.
The arrest occurs as St. Johns County officials continue to debate the use of Flock Safety license plate readers. The county board is scheduled to discuss the future of the cameras on county roadways during an Oct. 20 meeting, following a series of public hearings on the matter. Sheriff Hardwick has strongly advocated for the retention of the devices, citing their success in recovering 29 stolen vehicles and clearing dozens of felony charges so far in 2026.
The Major Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the incident.
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