By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Shortly before his murder on Sunday 3 March, Mitat Rasimi was meeting over coffee in a cafe in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, police detectives say.
Outside, occupants in a stolen orange Ford Ranger waited. When Mr Rasimi drove to his Dawn Avenue address, the ute followed.
Outside his home at 9.55pm, the ute drove past the 51-year-old father-of-four in his car. He was then shot “numerous times”, police say.
Police believe Mr Rasimi was killed instantly. He was found in his car, which had rolled down the street and crashed into a pole.
“This is a really evil act,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper of Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad said.
“We’re dealing with brutal people with no concern for human life or the community here with the consequences of their actions.”
Mr Rasimi had connections to numerous organised crime groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, Det Insp Stamper said.
“Regardless of his background, Mr Rasimi was a father of four fairly young children.
“We have a grieving family here who deserve answers.
“And we have an outstanding offender or offenders who need to be brought to account for this.”
A solid man was observed attempting to set the Ford Ranger alight about 30 minutes later in McMahens Road, Bangholme.
The ute, which had been stolen from a Melton home a few days earlier, is being forensically tested by police. It has been “positively linked” to the murder, Det Insp Stamper said.
He described the ute as “not uncommon but fairly distinctive”.
Still there are many “gaps” in what police know about this seven-month investigation.
Police are unsure how many offenders were in the ute involved in the drive-by shooting. They are investigating whether Mr Rasimi was lured to the caf¨¦ as part of the ‘hit’.
The caf¨¦ is known as a popular hang-out for Albanian community members, Det Insp Stamper said.
“We know Mr Rasimi was very active in the Albanian community, particularly in that South Eastern region of Dandenong.”
The Homicide detective appealed for information from people who had seen the ute prior to the murder, or for Albanian community members to come forward.
Any information can be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
