Detectives from the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team and Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch have today successfully applied for the extradition of three men who were arrested in New South Wales overnight by virtue of a Queensland arrest warrant for the alleged murder of 32-year-old Omega Ruston on the Gold Coast in 2009.
Omega Ruston, a Gold Coast man and father-of-two, was driving along the Gold Coast highway at Burleigh Heads at approximately 10.25pm on Australia Day (January 26 2009) when he was shot dead in a suspected road rage incident.
Following a renewed public appeal last year and a protracted investigation by members of Crime and Intelligence Command's Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team and Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from NSW Police, three men were arrested in New South Wales overnight.
At approximately 8pm Monday February 7, a 43-year-old man wanted on a Queensland arrest warrant was arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) as he attempted to board a plane to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
During a subsequent search of the man and his luggage, police seized more than $25,000 cash.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station.
Following further inquiries, officers attached to NSW Police Force's Raptor Highway Patrol stopped a black Toyota Hilux travelling on the M4 at Huntingwood.
The driver - a 37-year-old man - was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station.
Acting on information, a 39-year-old man was subsequently arrested by Raptor Squad officers at a home on Fairway Drive at Norwest shortly before 1.30 am today (February 8).
All three men appeared at court today - the 43-year old at Sydney Central Local Court and the 37-year-old and 39-year-old at Parramatta Local Court – where QPS detectives successfully applied for their extradition to Queensland. The trio are in custody and are expected to be extradited to Brisbane in the coming days.
Detectives will allege the men were occupants in the vehicle of interest, a maroon sedan seen stopping near Omega's 2001 Holden Rodeo, on the side of the highway. Police will allege two shots fired from the rear passenger side window of the maroon sedan, with one of the shots fatally striking Omega. The same vehicle was then seen travelling south along the highway following the shooting.
This morning, Queensland Police homicide detectives and Gold Coast CIB arrested and charged a 45-year-old Gold Coast man in Brisbane with accessory after the fact to murder. It will be alleged the man provided immediate assistance to the offenders after the murder had been committed. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow (February 9).
The New South Wales Police Force, particularly Raptor Squad, Unsolved Homicide, Water Police and the Dive Squad are thanked for their assistance throughout the investigation.
"Although police have made these arrests, we know there are many people out there who can provide crucial information in relation to Omega's death; it is never too late to come forward," Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Ahearn said.
