ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A 32-year-old man was arrested Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2026, after deputies say he robbed a Regions Bank while carrying an AR-15-style rifle and fled in a white Audi with tape covering its license plate.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Hubert Estelle, 32, who was taken into custody by SWAT deputies at an apartment complex after investigators tracked the suspected getaway vehicle using traffic cameras and license plate reader technology.
According to the sheriff’s office, Estelle entered the Regions Bank on St. Johns Commons Parkway shortly after 3 p.m., wearing a face mask, gloves and dark-colored clothing.
Investigators said he was armed with an AR-15-style rifle when he demanded money from bank employees and threatened violence.
Fearing for their safety, employees handed over cash before the suspect left the bank.
Authorities have not disclosed how much money was stolen.
License Plate Cameras Help Deputies Track Suspect Vehicle
Bank employees provided deputies with a description of the getaway vehicle, a white Audi sedan with white tape covering its license plate.
Investigators used traffic cameras and automated license plate reader technology to locate a vehicle matching that description near St. Johns Parkway just minutes after the robbery.
Personnel at the sheriff’s office Real Time Intelligence Center also identified footage of the same vehicle before the robbery, when its license plate was not covered.
That information helped investigators narrow their search.
By approximately 3:23 p.m., deputies had located the suspected getaway vehicle at Ascend Luxury Apartments on Mossy Pine Lane.
The vehicle was found roughly 15 minutes after the robbery was reported, according to Sheriff Rob Hardwick.
SWAT Team Arrests Suspect After Apartment Complex Lockdown
After locating the Audi, deputies locked down the apartment complex while searching for the suspect.
Residents in the building where investigators believed the suspect was located were evacuated as a precaution.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team subsequently located Estelle inside his apartment and took him into custody.
During a search of the residence, investigators recovered an AR-15-style rifle and clothing believed to have been worn during the bank robbery.
The sheriff’s office did not report any injuries during the robbery or arrest operation.
Suspect Faces Nine Criminal Charges
Estelle was arrested on the following charges:
- Armed robbery with a firearm
- Grand theft
- Five counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony
- Wearing a mask or hood while committing a felony
The charges include five separate aggravated assault counts stemming from the alleged incident.
Authorities have not released Estelle’s bond status or provided additional information about upcoming court proceedings.
Sheriff Credits License Plate Readers for Rapid Arrest
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said the case demonstrated how surveillance technology can help deputies respond to violent crimes.
“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 said.
The sheriff also acknowledged concerns about the use of automated license plate readers, commonly known as LPRs, and their implications for privacy.
“We understand the concerns surrounding the use of LPR technology, and we are committed to using it responsibly,” Hardwick said.
He said the agency believes the technology can improve public safety when appropriate safeguards are in place.
The sheriff’s office did not provide details about its license plate data retention policies or the specific safeguards referenced in the statement.
Major Crimes Unit Continues Investigation
Several specialized units assisted in the response, including the sheriff’s office Air and Drone units, Crisis Negotiation Team, Real Time Intelligence Center, Task Force, SWAT team and Major Crimes Unit.
The Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the robbery.