Bank robbers caught after nationwide manhunt

Published 4:43 pm Thursday, July 24, 2008

U.S. Marshals have captured two men wanted for robbing at least 12 banks in six states, including an M&F Bank in Hoover.

The arrests follow a nationwide manhunt that involved U.S. Marshals, the FBI and several other agencies.

Malik Rahmel Dillard, 25, and Zarqurous Lequis Sanders, 24, face charges of robbing a dozen banks across the country. The television show “American’s Most Wanted” recently featured the duo, dubbed the “Interstate Bandits.”

Hoover police say the men robbed the M&F Bank on Riverchase Parkway back on June 10.

After the robbery, Hoover police shared surveillance video with departments across the Southeast.

Using that footage, the FBI identified Dillard as one of the suspects July 10. It also linked him with other robberies in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, police say.

Dillard remained at large until July 21, when he was caught robbing another bank in Edison, N.J.

U.S. Marshals named Sanders as Dillard’s accomplice July 14. He was arrested July 22 in a hotel in Lincoln and wasn’t involved in the New Jersey robbery, police say.

“As the weeks progressed during the investigation, Dillard and Sanders become more bold and aggressive in their actions, said Hoover Chief of Police Nicholas Derzis, in a written statement. “We were very concerned that some innocent person might get injured.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Sanders was in the Shelby County Jail on a $1 million bond. Dillard is in a New Jersey jail.