ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A man suspected of robbing a St. Johns County bank Friday has been captured - thanks in part to camera technology, police said.
Hubert Estelle, 32, is charged with armed robbery, grand theft and other crimes for allegedly robbing a Regions Bank on St. Johns Common Parkway Avenue.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office police, crediting traffic cameras and license-plate reader technology, tracked Estelle to the Ascend Luxury Apartments on Mossy Pine Lane off SR 9B/Peyton Parkway about 3:30 p.m.
After entering the bank armed with an AR-15- style rifle and wearing a face mask, gloves, and dark-colored clothing, Estelle demanded money and threatened violence, police said.
Employees gave the suspect cash to leave the bank, and described his vehicle to police as a white Audi sedan with white tape covering the license plate.
Police said traffic cameras and license plate readers captured the vehicle matching the description in the area of St. Johns Parkway, just minutes after the robbery.
What police described as “Real Time Intelligence Center personnel” located 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.
SJSO deputies locked down the apartment complex, evacuate residents, and sent a SWAT team to get Estelle from his apartment.
During a search of the residence, an AR-15-style rifle and the clothing matching that worn during the robbery were located.
Police said its air and drone units also assisted with the search and arrest.
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