Police have arrested three men 13 years after father-of-two, Omega Ruston, was shot dead in an alleged road rage attack on a Queensland highway.
Police say Mr Ruston (pictured) was driving along the Gold Coast highway at Burleigh Heads at approximately 10.25pm on Australia Day, 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,” Queensland Police said today.
At approximately 8pm yesterday, 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.
“Following further inquiries, officers attached to NSW Police Force’s Raptor Highway Patrol stopped a black Toyota Hilux travelling on the M4 at Huntingwood,” Police said.
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.”
NSW Police have since charged the three men with outstanding arrest warrants on behalf of Queensland Police. They are expected to appear at local courts later today.
“Detectives from the Queensland Police Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team and Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch have travelled to Sydney to seek the men’s extradition to Queensland to face murder charges,” Queensland Police said.
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. Â 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 later today.
“Police are continuing to appeal to members of the public with information that may assist this investigation to come forward.”
