Man arrested on murder charge in Savoy Hotel homicide case

Police have arrested Vancouver man Stephen Farmer on an outstanding warrant for second-degree murder in relation to a homicide at the Savoy Hotel in January.

Farmer’s arrest follows the killing of Joseph Billy Bustinski, 62, who was found wounded from gunshots in the Savoy near the corner of Main and Hastings streets.

Although Bustinski was taken to hospital, he would later die from his injuries.

Police credit the successful arrest to the help of the Surrey RCMP, who were already looking for Farmer on an array of outstanding warrants.

Those charges include driving while prohibited, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop at an accident, and breach of probation.

As a result of that, said a release, the Vancouver Police Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a home in Surrey and arrested Farmer.

“As a result of the cooperation and determination of both the VPD and the Surrey RCMP, a violent offender has been taken off the street today,” said Staff Sgt. Randy Fincham.

Farmer’s arrest comes just a week after Marnie Marie Scow, 29, turned herself in on a charge for manslaughter in relation to the Savoy killing.