On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at approximately 10:46 a.m., Boone officers were alerted to a reported armed robbery at Wells Fargo Bank. The suspect had fled the area on foot.
Boone Police officers, along with Watauga County Sheriff’s deputies, Appalachian Regional Medical Center police officers, and Appalachian State University Police officers, responded to the area and began searching for the suspect. A short time later, a person of interest was detained by Boone patrol officers after attempting to flee.
As a result of the investigation, Zechariah Othniel Vick, 27, of Boone, was charged with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon. Mr. Vick was taken before a Watauga County magistrate and was held without bond due to other pending charges.
He was booked into the Watauga County Detention Center without incident. His court date is July 7, 2026.

