CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A North Carolina man has been arrested and charged in connection to an ATM theft in Roan Mountain, though authorities said they don’t believe the Jan. 10 theft is related to other ATM heists News Channel 11 has reported on in recent weeks.

PREVIOUS: Skid steer used to steal money from Roan Mountain ATM

Authorities began investigating after they located a Carter County Bank ATM knocked off its concrete foundation and broken into Jan. 10. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from the ATM, and the suspect fled, the Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) reported.

On Wednesday, the CCSO announced the suspect was identified as Jeremiah Ayers, 39, of Green Mountain, North Carolina. Ayers was reportedly seen on security footage, and data obtained from his cell phone after the execution of a search warrant placed him in the bank’s vicinity when the ATM was broken into.

An affidavit for Ayers’ arrest says $185,000 was stored in the ATM and the machine sustained about $100,000 in damage.

Carter County Bank President Andrew McKeehan told News Channel 11 Wednesday morning Fraley, detectives and deputies had been “in constant contact” with bank officials since Jan. 10.

“We’re very appreciative for what they’ve done and the action that they have taken to bring a quick resolution to this, so we’re happy that we’re through that phase and moving on to the court process,” McKeehan said.

At a news conference, Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley said the Roan Mountain break-in is not related to a rash of others, including two in Johnson City and one in Mosheim. One of those was at a Bank of Tennessee branch, which is the parent bank of Carter County Bank. In that incident and the other one in Johnson City, the ATMs did not break open and losses were limited to damage to the machines.

JCPD: 3 ATMs yanked from bases, broken into since October

A news release from the CCSO states an arrest warrant charging Ayers with theft and vandalism was secured, and North Carolina authorities were alerted. Law enforcement in Yancey County reportedly found and arrested Ayers Tuesday night.

Fraley said Ayers’ alleged theft does not appear to be connected to a string of similar ATM thefts in Northeast Tennessee. McKeehan said the Tennessee Bankers Association has been discussing a trend that has extended beyond Northeast Tennessee, with similar incidents occurring at least as far west as Murfreesboro in Middle Tennessee.

“This is a very unfortunate incident, it’s been kind of a thing that’s been going on throughout the state,” McKeehan said.

He said insurance covers those losses and customers accounts are not put at risk. McKeehan said the bank regrets the inconvenience to customers in Roan Mountain and said officials hope to see what is actually an “ITM,” or video-enabled interactive teller machine, up and running again soon.

And McKeehan said the bank’s leaders are adapting their defenses.

“This … is a new thing but you know we’re in constant communications with our security staff, sheriff’s deputies, Elizabethton (police department) just to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to protect our customers and our staff,” he said.

A CCSO investigator traveled to the detention center in Yancey County and interviewed Ayers. As of Wednesday, Ayers remains in police custody in Yancey County while awaiting extradition.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Crime Watch

The sheriff’s office reports Ayers was charged with theft of property ($60,000 to $249,999) and vandalism ($60,000 to $249,000).

Fraley thanked his investigators for their work on the case in the news release.

“I am proud of the hard work my investigators put into solving this case and identifying the suspect,” he said. “I would also like to thank the officers in Yancey County for helping us apprehend Mr. Ayers.”

According to Fraley and Carter County Bank’s McKeehan, security camera footage was pivotal in identifying Ayers, and citizens and neighbors in the area of the theft were also helpful during the investigation.

“They’ve had numerous detectives, deputies, even the community sharing footage that they had on their cameras in the area,” McKeehan said. “So you know Roan Mountain’s a wonderful place and they’ve been very happy to reach out to us and help us in any way they could.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.