Man accused of breaking into NC State student housing, assaulting police officers

NC State University police arrested 33-year-old Zachary Watkins of Carrboro, early Monday morning after warrants say he broke into student housing and tried to set a fire.

It happened at Chowan Hall,  part of Kings Village, which is on Ligon Street near the university.

Warrants say that Watkins broke into an apartment where two female students were sleeping.

According to Broadcastify radio traffic, which records radio traffic between dispatchers and first responders, the fire alarm went off and the two students left Chowan Hall.

NC State sophomore Mercedes Ledbetter was one of the students who was asleep.

"I feel safe [since] they caught him," Ledbetter said. "[I] feel good about that."

Watkins had allegedly set fire to the bathroom, setting off the fire alarms.

Ledbetter said she and her roommate went to wait in a car in the parking lot for someone to turn the alarm off.

"Ten minutes later, this guy just comes out of the woods," Ledbetter said. "He was pacing back and forth, and talking like crazy."

Broadcastify traffic stated that when police came to turn the firm alarm off, the suspect went inside.

Ledbetter said she and her roommate left the door to their room unlocked.

"The cop came to turn the alarm off to our building, so we could go back to bed," Ledbetter said. "He [Watkins] then saw the cop and then escaped into our room to hide."

Ledbetter said Watkins took off his clothes inside their room and left a pocket knife on the bed.

Police searched the area for Watkins, and foot chase took place, before NC State police deployed a Taser to stop him.

Warrants indicate that he assaulted three officers, by throwing a fire extinguisher at them, kicking them and grabbing another by the neck.

"It was crazy," Ledbetter said. "Something you wouldn't dream of in a million years."

NC State said the officers had minor injuries and did not need treatment. The university said it did not issue a WolfAlert because the suspect was immediately arrested.

Watkins is charged with five felonies, including assault. He is in jail under no bond.