On Tuesday, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office arrested Merle Hardie, 83, in connection to a suspicious package left at a home on Landover Boulevard in Spring Hill last Friday.
The package, a manila envelope, contained what appeared to be a tent stake and a white powder that presumptively tested positive for baking soda, though it has been submitted to a laboratory for verification. This incident is linked to a previous event on July 6 at the same residence, where Hardie allegedly spray-painted and knocked down multiple exterior surveillance cameras and attempted to damage a front window. The investigation revealed that Hardie had been involved in a traffic crash with the homeowner back in 2024. He is being charged with one count of aggravated stalking, two counts of burglary of a dwelling, three counts of possession of burglary tools, and four counts of delivery of a hoax of mass destruction. Hardie was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center and held on $10,000 bond.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
