Police have made another arrest in the Operation Steelers murder inquiry, the investigation into the death of farm worker Justin McFarlane, who was found dead in his home in the rural community of Elderslie in the early hours of Wednesday morning (11 September).
A 23-year-old Oamaru man was arrested last night on a murder charge and is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court today.
He was located in a Nissan Skyline car in Oamaru late yesterday afternoon and arrested last night. The vehicle he was found in has been seized for forensic examination.
His arrest follows two earlier arrests of a 22-year-old Oamaru man and an 18-year-old Palmerston man.
The scene examination is still continuing at Mr McFarlane's home in Pine Hill Road. This is expected to be completed in the next couple of days.
Police are also continuing to forensically examine the Nissan Skyline that they impounded following a short pursuit in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They believe the vehicle is linked to the circumstances surrounding Mr McFarlane's death.
"This is a complex investigation in which our inquiries have led us to a number of alleged offenders. We are making good progress. We have also carried out a number of scene examinations of locations and vehicles," says Acting Detective Inspector Colin Blackie.
"We'd also like to thank those members of the public who have provided the investigation with information. This is greatly appreciated."
Police say they are still seeking to talk with a number of people who either know about the circumstances leading up to Mr McFarlane's death and in particular one person who may have been present at the time of his death.
ENDS
Released by Acting Detective Inspector Colin Blackie, Southern Police