Bizarre new details have emerged regarding the recent arrest of one of four men accused of robbing a Montgomery business, with the recently arrested suspect appearing to have a role in local daycare and multiple Christian ministries.
Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the arrest of Zedekiah Sykes, 58, of Montgomery, concerning a four-man robbery that occurred earlier this month at a Montgomery dry cleaner. U.S. Marshals arrested him on Wednesday. He faces federal charges of armed robbery, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime and carjacking.
Sykes has a somewhat lengthy criminal history. In addition to being the recipient of a protection from abuse order filed by his then-spouse, Sykes also has other felony convictions.
Sykes pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a Class C felony. His maximum sentence was set at 81 months, but how much time he served is unclear. A similar charge exists in the city of Millbrook, claiming Sykes claimed to be a federal law enforcement officer and, once again, presented a fraudulent federal ID card.
In March 2017, Sykes appeared before a federal court for a hearing on his parole revocation after being released for bank fraud in Oregon in 2009 for multiple violations, including not paying his restitution, gambling his father's mortgage money, leading to foreclosure and convincing members of his church to invest money into a business venture that did not exist.
More interesting than his rap sheet is the businesses Syles appears to own or be involved in.
In addition to being the registered agent for an apparent daycare called Moore Room to Grow Child Development Center, which has no apparent online presence, he is also the incorporator of the Zedekiah Sykes Evangelistic Association, which also has no online presence and the registered agent of Restoration Fellowship Ministries International in Montgomery.
In its incorporating documents, The Zedekiah Sykes Evangelistic Association claims to "Educate/show glamourous preachers humbleness/teach Jesus' way."
Restoration Fellowship has a non-functioning website. However, it is very active on social media. Sykes' role in the church is not clear.
Sykes is the sole arrest in the crime that involved four masked men. Court records state Sykes was the orchestrator of the robbery, having planned it for months.
The Montgomery Police Department (MPD) said the robbery occurred on March 10 at Jim Massey's Cleaners in the 500 block of South Street. Jim Massey, the owner of the dry-cleaning chain, was present in the store when four masked men entered around 6 p.m.
Massey was assaulted, robbed, and bound in his office with zip ties before the robbers stole his cell phone, keys, and car before leaving the scene.
The criminal complaint alleges that two men, who had previously backed out of Sykes' robbery scheme, came to Massey after the robbery, asking for money to provide details. The two men fingered Sykes as the architect of the robbery, along with another confidential informant.
Sykes also allegedly used his credit card to buy the construction attire worn by the four robbers. Law enforcement surveilled and tracked Sykes for several days before his arrest.
The Montgomery Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit reportedly assisted in the arrest.
The U.S. District Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama stated the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that uses DOJ resources to "repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
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