Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest Of Omaha Murder Suspect

A 37-year Omaha man arrested early Thursday morning following a traffic stop in Glenwood is now in custody in Omaha on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Jason Rankin was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Glenwood Police around 3 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of 2nd and Locust. Glenwood Police Capt. Pat Martin said the vehicle was stopped for having faulty equipment. The traffic stop eventually led to the driver, also from Omaha, and Rankin both being arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. A records check also determined Rankin was a fugitive from justice on drug-related charges with a warrant for his arrest on file in Lancaster County, Neb.

Rankin was being held in Mills County Jail Friday when the Glenwood Police Department was notified that a first-degree murder warrant had been issued for Rankin’s arrest in Omaha. Rankin was interviewed by detectives from Omaha Police on Friday before eventually transported to Douglas County to face the first-degree murder charge.

Omaha investigators suspect Rankin was one of four peopled involved in the July 7 shooting death of Billy Walker at the Caravelle apartment complex in northwest Omaha.