He admitted to getting a stolen vehicle in exchange for some meth he had “fronted”.
The St. Augustine Beach Police Department has arrested 25-year-old Robert Hardister, of Stuart, after he was caught in a stolen vehicle in the 10th Street parking lot east of A1A. An officer on routine patrol found the vehicle, unoccupied, and confirmed it had been stolen in Marion County. Police set up surveillance and saw Hardister get in the car with a set of keys.
Police say Hardister admitted to knowing the car had been stolen, telling officers he was a drug dealer who got he car in exchange for some meth he had fronted to a person. Police say Hardister also admitted to having experience boosting cars.
Hardister has been arrested for theft of a motor vehicle. Police also found has has an outstanding warrant for violation of parole in North Carolina. He is being held in the St. Johns County Jail on no bond.