By Rocco Parascandola
Newsday
ECUADOR — One of the state’s most wanted fugitives, suspected of gunning down an off-duty correction officer outside a Flushing hotel three years ago, has been arrested in Ecuador, police said yesterday.
George Saravanos, 23, who is also an ex-convict, was arrested by U.S. marshals on Monday at a hospital where he is being treated for an unrelated gunshot wound, police said.
Saravanos allegedly shot Robert Ross outside a Sheraton Hotel early on Dec. 4, 2004. Ross, off duty at the time, and Saravanos had each attended the same party at the hotel, and when the party ended, the suspect approached Ross as he sat on a bench with the intention of robbing him, police said.
Ross, police added, identified himself and displayed his shield, at which point Saravanos opened fire, striking Ross in the groin. He bled to death.
Ross, a nine-year veteran, lived in Far Rockaway, had a 9-year-old son and coached track and field and softball in his spare time, police and correction officials said yesterday.
After the slaying, Saravanos quickly emerged as a suspect, but then fled to Ecuador, said New York Police Department Capt. Alfonso Pizzano.
In 2005, police learned that the suspect’s father, Andonos Saravanos, a real estate multimillionaire, had been wiring money to Ecuador.
He was charged with aiding a fleeing felon and pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution. He was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, according to court records.
The suspect, who had been profiled on “America’s Most Wanted,” was released from prison - he served 3 years for an attempted burglary conviction - a month before Ross’ killing.
It was not clear when he would be extradited to New York.
Copyright 2007 Newsday