By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A teenager has been charged in the July 5 robbery of F&M Bank, the Salisbury Police Department said Thursday.

He is also accused of robbing a bank in Charlotte.

Salisbury police charged 16-year-old Merak Patrick Siles, also known as Merak Silas, who lives on Eaman Avenue, with common law robbery. He was held at the Rowan County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.

Police officials said Siles entered the bank about 5:45 p.m. July 5 and gave a teller a note demanding money. The teller complied, and Siles left on foot toward Maupin Avenue. Police and K-9 units searched the area but were unable to find him.

Siles was identified as a suspect after his arrest by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, according to Salisbury police officials. He also has been linked to the robbery of a Charlotte retail store.

Siles was placed on electronic house arrest. Salisbury detectives determined that he matched the description of the F&M Bank robber. After analyzing physical evidence and surveillance video, they contacted Charlotte authorities.

Salisbury detectives said Siles had been in the F&M Bank hours before the robbery wearing different clothes.

Detective Travis Shulenburger said the teen is not a suspect in other recent bank robberies here.

Siles was arrested Wednesday evening at his home.

Siles was charged with by Charlotte authorities with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

According to court records, those charges stem from an attempted robbery at a Charlotte area Family Dollar store and the robbery of a Wells Fargo bank branch.