U.S. Marshals arrested a 41-year-old Kent man, Zealand Adams, in Kent on September 28. The arrest stems from an alleged home invasion robbery that occurred in Auburn, Alabama, on September 3. Adams, along with 39-year-old Ramiro Vasquez, who was arrested in Chico, California, are both wanted by the Auburn Police Department in Lee County, Alabama. They face investigation on multiple counts of robbery, burglary, unlawful imprisonment, and impersonating a peace officer, according to a U.S. Marshals press release issued on September 30.
The alleged crime took place in the early morning hours of September 3. The suspects reportedly entered the victims' residence, posing as law enforcement officials. During the incident, they allegedly held the victims at gunpoint and stole valuables, according to the Auburn (Alabama) Police Department.
Following the home invasion, investigators from the Auburn Police Department requested assistance from the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Task force investigators determined that Adams and Vasquez had fled the state, with Adams traveling to Kent and Vasquez to Chico. Auburn Police utilized automated license plate reader technology to identify the suspects' rental vehicle and confirm their movement out of Alabama.
A coordinated arrest operation was then carried out on September 28. The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force in Washington and the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force in California worked together to conduct simultaneous arrests. Both Adams and Vasquez were apprehended without incident and subsequently booked into local jails. They are currently awaiting extradition to Alabama.
As of September 30, Adams remained incarcerated at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. He was booked into the facility at 9:30 a.m. on September 28, and his bail has been set at $250,000.
The U.S. Marshals press release also provided details on Adams' past criminal history. In 2014, he was involved in a five-hour standoff with police in Utah. This incident occurred after Adams led officers on a high-speed chase and held a 2-year-old hostage. At the time of the standoff, Adams was wanted in connection with a murder in Louisiana. He was later convicted of kidnapping in Utah and manslaughter in Louisiana.
Acting U.S. Marshal Donrien Stephens for the Western District of Washington commented on the gravity of the alleged impersonation. Stephens stated, "Impersonating law enforcement undermines public trust and threatens community safety."