2 men arrested for Ponte Vedra Beach auto thefts | News

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Two Jacksonville men were arrested and charged with grand theft auto that took place in Ponte Vedra Beach. They also face additional charges in Duval and Nassau counties.

Two vehicles were taken from Ponte Vedra Beach in July and one was stolen from Duval County. The vehicle taken from Duval was found in the same spot where the Ponte
Vedra Beach vehicles were stolen.

Steven Michael Richardson, 20, and Wesley Hodge Halkard, 18, are both currently in the St. Johns County Jail for these crimes, according to a release from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Richardson faces two counts of grand theft auto, one count of possession of stolen property, one count of dealing in stolen property and three counts of grand theft. He was arrested August 27 and has bonds totaling $40,000.

Halkard faces three counts of armed burglary, three counts of grand theft and two counts of grand theft auto. He was arrested Friday and his bonds total $125,000.

Richardson and Halkard were discovered to be behind the thefts through "investigation techniques," according to the release.

One of the victims who had his vehicle stolen on July 21 tried to follow the vehicle, and so did SJSO deputies, the release stated. The suspects then crashed the vehicle into a fountain and fled on foot when the deputies tried to stop the vehicle.

Anyone with any additional information concerning this investigation
is asked to contact Detective Cheth Plaugher at (904) 209-3984.