Local

Parents ask missing Boone teen to come home

BOONE, N.C. — Boone police are searching for James Martin Roberts, 19, who was last seen Thursday near the Appalachian State University Convocation Center.

Roberts is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs about 145 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes.

He was wearing a black, short-sleeve shirt, an ASU windbreaker, khaki shorts, gray New Balance shoes and a white golf visor.

He was last seen around 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of Hardin Street and Rivers Street.

Roberts is from Kernersville and lives in Boone while attending Caldwell Community College. He often hikes and camps along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Boone police shared the message Roberts' parents have for him:

"If you see this, please come home or contact us.  We love you."

Roberts' parents said the disappearance is out of character for him.

There was a possible sighting in the Trout Lake area of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but a search with a state highway patrol helicopter did not locate him.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900 or High Country Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125.