Rebels bikie gang member charged over 2013 murder of Johnny Salafia refused bail
Police have charged a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang over the alleged murder of Johnny Salafia, who was shot dead on the front doorstep of his home near Ulladulla four years ago.
Mr Salafia, 38, had just finished putting his young daughters to bed after a night spent at the movies when the doorbell of his Kings Point home rang in 2013.
Neighbours told Fairfax Media at the time that he had greeted the visitor, before two shots interrupted the night. He was shot twice in the head and chest, and died where he fell on June 23, 2013.
Detectives from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and Shoalhaven Local Area Command set up Strike Force Hobler to investigate the alleged murder.
About 6am on Thursday, police searched a home at Surfside, north of Batemans Bay, where they arrested 42-year-old Robert John Stewart McCloskey.
McCloskey was taken to Batemans Bay police station, where he was charged with murder. He was refused police bail to appear at Batemans Bay Local Court.
During his court appearance on Thursday afternoon, McCloskey did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. The accused appeared relaxed and nodded at Magistrate Doug Dick as he listened to the proceedings from the dock.
The matter was adjourned to Nowra Court on January 17 when McCloskey will appear via audio-visual link.
Johnny Salafia, 38, was murdered on his front doorstep in 2013 while his wife and two daughters were inside. Picture: Supplied
The court heard a brief of police evidence would be served on the defence by January 4.
Mr Salafia's death was a tragedy for his loved ones. As well as his two daughters, he was married, and also had a son with his ex-wife.
Just over a week earlier he had survived a fatal crash at Bargo, in which an elderly man was killed.
His ex-wife, Carly Stewart, told Fairfax Media in February, that Mr Salafia had briefly been a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang in the early 2000s.
Ms Stewart said his membership only lasted six months after friends convinced him to join.
The arrest was momentous for friends and family of Mr Salafia, who hadn’t given up hope of finding the person responsible for the killing.
Since 2015 a Facebook group called Justice for Johnny Salafia has gained “likes” from nearly 2000 online users.
Former partner Carly Stewart with eldest son Dylan Salafia, both continue to grieve the tragic loss of Johnny Salafia.
“We do believe in karma and one day it will come for you. One day you will all pay for what you did to us all,” the page posted in October.
Following Thursday’s arrest, a post on the Facebook page said: “We would like to thankyou all for the support you have given us over the last 4 years. Its [sic] been a rollercoaster of emotions but we are finally getting some of the answers we’ve waited for for so long. Justice for Johnny. Justice for us all.”