ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man accused of aiding fugitive Markeith Loyd was arrested Tuesday night, according to Orange County authorities.
Investigators said they arrested Zarghee Mayan on charges that he helped Loyd, 41, hide after Loyd's pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, was killed on Dec. 13.
During an interview with investigators on Dec. 14, Mayan said “he was at work (New Texas Fried Chicken) and Loyd walked in after the homicide armed with a gun. Loyd pointed at Mayan’s head and said, ‘Drive me or I will kill you. I just did something real bad,’” according to an arrest affidavit.
Timeline: Manhunt underway for Markeith Loyd
Mayan is charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He faced an Orange County judge Wednesday.
“I'd like to ask that bond be set at $50,000,” Mayan’s attorney asked the judge.
“No,“ the judge replied.
The judge denied Mayan bond, citing probable cause in the sheriff’s office arrest affidavit which detailed the meeting investigators had with Mayan at Texas Fried Chicken on Dec. 14.
You can watch Mayan's first appearance below:
Detectives said Mayan changed his story several times about his interaction with Loyd, according to the affidavit. The sheriff’s office report also said that Mayan said the last time he saw and spoke with Loyd was on Jan. 7.
The affidavit said Mayan told another detective that he never had a gun pointed at him, nor did he see Loyd at the restaurant. Instead, Mayan claimed that he saw Loyd on Dec. 13 when he and a friend drove to an Orange County home on Jackson Street to buy marijuana.
According to the arrest affidavit, Mayan said Loyd told him to drive to an address in Richmond Heights, knock on the door and ask for his estranged wife. The affidavit said Mayan claimed to pretend to knock because he “believed that if he made contact with the ex-wife at that residence, Loyd was going to shoot her also.”
Story: Accused cop killer shot wife in leg, court documents say
The affidavit also quoted Mayan as saying that while he was driving Loyd, Loyd told him that “he shot his girlfriend and he would shoot any cops if they tried to stop them.”
Related story: Pregnant mother's suspected killer a convicted felon, deputies say
Dixon, 24, was shot to death outside her home in the 6000 block of Long Peak Drive.
Dixon's brother, Ronald Steward, was also shot and critically injured when he tried to come to her aid, investigators said.
Related Story: Children in home when pregnant mother shot to death, officials say
Authorities said Mayan never contacted law enforcement to advise them of his contacts with Loyd, and that Mayan provided Loyd with free food from the restaurant.
The affidavit also said Mayan gave Loyd's niece, Lakensha Smith-Loyd, $200, with the understanding that she would give it to Loyd.
Smith-Loyd was arrested Wednesday, on charges of accessory after the fact to life.
Previous Story: 'Do the right thing,' niece tells uncle accused of killing pregnant ex
Watch Lakensha Smith-Loyd's arrest below:
Loyd is also wanted in connection with the shooting death of Orlando Police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.
Clayton was outside a Walmart in Pine Hills Monday when she was approached by a shopper.
A witness said the customer walked up to Clayton and said that "someone they were looking for, wanted, was in the store in the line to check out." The witness said Clayton approached Loyd, who then shot her.
Clayton died Monday morning at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Story: Search continues for 'armed and dangerous' man accused of killing sergeant
A woman is in custody and being questioned Wednesday in connection with the search for Loyd. Sources told Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray that Jamesia Slaughter is a friend of Loyd.
Mayan is partial owner of New Texas Fried Chicken, Channel 9 learned. Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill said she knows Mayan.
"To escape justice this long, someone's helping him and they need to turn him in. Of course, here it is, (it) seems like a very prominent business person has now (fallen) to the wrath of this unfortunate incident and tragic incident of my friend Debra Thomas and Sade Dixon. I would suggest anybody that know where Markeith Loyd is to make life better on themselves and their families," Hill said.
Story: Suspect in sergeant's fatal shooting has long criminal history
In 2014, Mayan, who goes by “Naz,” according to his Facebook page, was interviewed by Channel 9 after SWAT members stormed a house on Ivey Lane in Orlando where a Texas Fried Chicken delivery driver was carjacked.
2014 story: Search continues for men who carjacked delivery driver
As two officers confronted three armed men, they said they were forced to open fire, killing one of them.
Channel 9 obtained an Orange County arrest affidavit from November 2011 showing that Mayan was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after authorities said he attacked a customer with a 2-by-4 piece of wood.
However, according to a court document, the case was ruled “not suitable for prosecution” in April 2012 and charges against Mayan were dropped.
More stories related to Markeith Loyd:
- 'Do the right thing,' niece tells uncle accused of killing pregnant ex
- Pregnant mother's suspected killer a convicted felon, deputies say
- Children in home when pregnant mother shot to death, officials say
Cox Media Group
