Last Updated on March 26, 2022 2:39 pm
UPDATE Wednesday September 12 – 6:16pm – A man suspected in a robbery at a Blowing Rock bank was shot and killed Tuesday night after a confrontation by officers in Kentucky.
The Blowing Rock Police Department has confirmed that Edward J. Reynolds, 57, of Cape Coral Florida was killed in a shootout with U.S. Marshal’s and other local law enforcement officers, which also left a Kentucky Sheriff’s Deputy seriously wounded.
The Blowing Rock Police Department in a press release Wednesday evening said:
“On September 11, 2018 at 10:00 am Officers from the Blowing Rock Police Department responded to an armed bank robbery that occurred at United Community Bank on Valley Boulevard in Blowing Rock NC. The Watauga Sheriff’s office, and Boone Police department assisted Blowing Rock Police officers in a coordinated search of the immediate area looking for the suspect. It was later determined that the suspect was driving a Silver 2013 Ford Mustang convertible and it is believed that the vehicle was parked near the bank and he was able to leave the scene prior police arrival.
After several crime stopper tips from the surrounding area, and in coordination with the FBI, the identity of the suspect was determined to be Mr. Edward J. Reynolds, 57, of Cape Coral Florida. According to the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies, Reynolds has been a suspect in several armed bank robberies occurring across numerous states, including Florida and Texas. Mr. Reynolds was located by Federal authorities on Tuesday evening around 10:15 pm at a rest stop at mile marker 127 on I-75 north in Kentucky. Reynolds was killed in a subsequent shootout with U.S. Marshal’s and other local law enforcement officers, which also left a Kentucky Sheriff’s Deputy seriously wounded.
The Blowing Rock Police department would like to thank the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department for their assistance in the initial response and the investigation that followed.”
Reynolds was killed at a rest area off Interstate 75 , according to multiple media reports from that area. The deputy, Jamie Morales, was shot in the back and was in stable condition, according to reports on Wednesday afternoon.
Reynolds is suspected of robbing a Fifth Third Bank in Cape Coral on January 12, the same bank again on April 16, a BB&T Bank in Punta Gorda on May 30, a July 25 BB&T in Sarasota, according to a report.
The Sarasota County Florida Sheriff's Office also announced on Wednesday in a Facebook post.
UPDATE 5:45am Wed Sept 12 – WataugaOnline.com has learn that the suspect in a Tuesday bank robbery in Blowing Rock appears to be the same man wanted for a robbery in Florida.
Authorities in Sarasota, Florida were called to a bank robbery at a BB&T branch on July 25, 2018 after a man showed a handgun and demanded cash before leaving on foot, according to a report from the Bradenton Herald. The report described the man as between 40 and 50 years old and about 5-foot-10 with a medium build and was wearing a dark colored button-down shirt, jeans and a cowboy hat.
The first photo below is from the BB&T branch along with a comparison photo from the Blowing Rock robbery on Tuesday. High Country Crime Stoppers is seeking information about the Tuesday robbery in Blowing Rock and that information can be found below.
UPDATE 12:18pm from Crime Stoppers on Tuesday Sept 11 – On September 11, 2018, at approximately 10:00 AM, a white male entered United Community Bank – 8036 Valley Boulevard, Blowing Rock, and demanded money. The subject had a handgun visible. He left on foot traveling west towards Ransom Street. He may have had a vehicle waiting in this area. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken during the robbery. Photos of the subject are attached. If you see this subject, contact 911 or your local law enforcement agency. Do not approach the subject.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125 or the Blowing Rock Police Department at 828-295-5210. You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via our website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or Text “NCTIP plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are on the scene of an apparent bank robbery in Blowing Rock.
The robbery, at 8036 Valley Boulevard – United Community Bank, occured around the 10am hour, and the suspect was still being sought according to scanner dispatches.
The suspect is a male and described as dark complexion wearing a cowboy hat, navy plaid shirt and jeans.
Any suspicious activity should be reported to BRPD at (828) 295-5210 or (828) 295-5212.
No other details are known at this time.
WataugaOnline.com will update as more information is available.
