Two suspects who allegedly impersonated federal law enforcement officers during an armed home invasion in Alabama were captured in Washington and California after a coordinated multi-state manhunt by U.S. Marshals.
Cross-Country Manhunt Ends in Dual Arrests
Ramiro Vasquez, 39, and Zealand Adams, 41, face multiple felony charges including robbery, burglary, unlawful imprisonment, and impersonating a peace officer following their arrests on September 28. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, both suspects entered a residence in Alabama while posing as deputy U.S. Marshals, held victims at gunpoint, and stole valuables before fleeing the state. Auburn Police Department investigators quickly determined the suspects had split up, with Adams traveling to Kent, Washington and Vasquez heading to Chico, California.
The arrests required coordination between three federal fugitive task forces spanning multiple regions. The Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force initially received the warrant request from Auburn police, then transmitted intelligence to the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force and the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Both agencies executed simultaneous arrest operations, taking the suspects into custody without incident. Both men await extradition to Alabama from local jails.
Suspect’s Violent Criminal History Revealed
Zealand Adams carries a particularly troubling criminal record. In 2014, he held a two-year-old child hostage during a five-hour standoff with Utah law enforcement after leading officers on a high-speed chase. Adams was wanted at that time in connection with a Louisiana murder investigation. He subsequently received convictions for kidnapping in Utah and manslaughter in Alabama. The U.S. Marshals Service disclosure of this history underscores the danger these suspects posed to communities while evading capture.
Law Enforcement Warns Against Impersonation Threat
Acting U.S. Marshal Donrien Stephens for the Western District of Washington emphasized the seriousness of impersonating federal officers. Such crimes undermine public trust in legitimate law enforcement and create dangerous situations for citizens who cannot distinguish real officers from criminals. The swift apprehension demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation across state lines. Authorities encourage anyone with information about wanted fugitives to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, call the Communications Center at 1-800-366-0102, or submit tips to [email protected].