𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Hubert Estelle (32) with Armed Robbery with a Firearm, Grand Theft, Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony (x5), and Wearing a Mask or Hood While Committing a Felony.

On Friday, October 16, just after 3 p.m.., Estelle entered the Regions Bank on St. Johns Common Parkway Avenue armed with AR-15 style rifle, and wearing a face mask, gloves, and dark-colored clothing. Estelle demanded money and threatened violence, so, in fear, the employees provided the suspect with cash before he left the business.

Employees described the suspect vehicle as a white Audi sedan with white tape covering the license plate. Traffic cameras and license plate reader technology captured the vehicle matching the description in the area of St. Johns Parkway, just minutes after the robbery. Real Time Intelligence Center personnel were able to locate the same vehicle before the robbery occurred without the license plate cover.

Based on the information, further Investigative efforts led deputies to the Ascend Luxury Apartments on Mossy Pine Lane, where deputies located the suspect vehicle by 3:23 p.m.

At this time, SJSO deputies locked down the apartment complex to search for the suspect, and safely evacuate residents within the building of interest. The SJSO SWAT team located Estelle inside his apartment and took him into custody. During a search of the residence, an AR-15 style rifle and the clothing worn during the robbery were located.

Negotiation Team, Real Time Intelligence Center, Task Force, and Major Crimes Unit assisted during the incident. The SJSO Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.

☕️ Coffee with a Cop ☕️

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, St. Augustine Police Department, and St. Johns County School District spent the morning sharing coffee and meaningful conversations with Ketterlinus Elementary students and staff. What a great event! #teamsjso

What a view over St. Johns County this morning! 🚀

Sheriff Hardwick and victim advocate Ashley Mitchell joined law enforcement agencies across Florida in signing a custom 1971 Volkswagen Beetle dedicated to honoring first responders.

The vehicle was designed by Spencer Crutchley, in memory of his brother-in-law, a Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy.

Spencer is traveling across the state to pay tribute to those who protect and serve our communities. We are grateful he made a stop in St. Johns County and #TeamSJSO is proud to be a part of the mission.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center has renewed its certification with the Missing Kids Readiness Program (MKRP), a nationwide initiative led by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

This program recognizes agencies that demonstrate excellence in training, preparedness, and best practices for responding to incidents involving missing, abducted, or exploited children. The SJSO Communications Center is one of the only 12 emergency communications centers in Florida to hold this distinction.

SJSO Public Safety Telecommunicators continue to show their dedication to protecting the children and families of our community. Through ongoing training and strengthened policies, we remain committed to serving our community at the highest level.

We are grateful for our continued partnership with NCMEC and excited to contribute to this national effort to keep children safe.

🚗 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 🚗

SJSO is hosting Teen Driver Challenge, a driving course sponsored by the Florida Sheriffs Association, for high school students.

The one day course helps teen drivers understand the rules of the road, enhances their driving skills, and improves safety and confidence on the road with help from deputies.

𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦:
November 23
November 24
December 21
December 22

𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦:
❗️High school students (15-19 years old)
❗️Live in St. Johns County
❗️Have a permit OR a license PRIOR to registration
❗️Participants will need to bring their own vehicle to participate

Space is limited. Register by visiting the link in our bio.

SJSO Lieutenant West Kennedy successfully completed the Florida Executive Development Seminar [FEDS] in September.

The FEDS is a training program established by the FBI for law enforcement personnel and focuses on leadership, management, ethics, and other critical areas of professional development.

Congratulations, Lt. Kennedy, and thank you for your dedication to strengthening our agency.

Sheriff Hardwick joined Lt. Kennedy and law enforcement executives statewide as a panelist, contributing to a discussion about leadership in law enforcement, partnerships, the challenges and successes facing agencies today.

𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝐒𝐓. 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊!

🗓️ February 25, 2027
📍 The St. Augustine Amphitheatre

We can't wait to be back in the ring at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in 2027. Mark your calendars now, see you there!

Big smiles and curious minds!

SJSO Task Force deputies visited a local school to connect with young kids, answer questions, and give them the chance to explore the inside of a patrol vehicle. Building trust starts early, and we’re lucky to have moments like these to show our community - of all ages - how we serve and protect. #TeamSJSO

On September 29, 2026, SJSO and Seniors vs Crime St. Johns County volunteers visited the Vicar's Landing retirement community for a presentation on current scam and fraud trends.

SJSO is aware of the increase in fraudulent activity in our community. Scammers are impersonating SJSO personnel and targeting St. Johns County residents, especially seniors.

SJSO Financial Crime Detective Fultz shared important information about common scams and how to protect personal information.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿:
→ SJSO will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 call you about a warrant
→ SJSO will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 call you about jury duty
→ SJSO will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 attempt to collect money from you over the phone
→ SJSO will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 ask you to provide personal information over the phone
→ SJSO will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 call or text you about an inmate

Scammers are smart and use fear tactics to scare someone, create a sense of urgency, and pressure for personal information.

When in doubt, 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗬! Please contact the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at 𝟵𝟬𝟰-𝟴𝟮𝟰-𝟴𝟯𝟬𝟰 to verify a phone call, document, or to report a crime.

Seniors vs Crime St. Johns County is a volunteer-led partnership between the Florida Attorney General's Office and SJSO that works to educate senior citizens, prevent fraud, investigate complaints, and seek restitution for seniors. All services are offered at no cost right here in St. Johns County.

To request a public presentation on fraud prevention or to file a request for assistance in a civil dispute, contact SVC:
Phone - (904) 209-1432
Email - [email protected]
Web - seniorsvscrime.com