By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Homicide Squad detectives have released vision of a distinctive stolen orange Ford Ranger believed to be linked to the death of a Dandenong man with underworld connections in March.
Mitat Rasimi, 51, was found with gunshot wounds in a car that had crashed into a pole in Dawn Avenue about 9.55pm on Sunday 3 March.
He died at the scene.
About 30 minutes later, a man with a solid build was reportedly trying to set alight the Ford ute in McMahens Road, Bangholme.
He was disturbed by a witness, the fire was extinguished and the ute was seized by police.
Forensic testing of the vehicle is ongoing, police say.
Victoria Police have released CCTV footage of the ute travelling in the Dandenong area, as well as images of the ute at the Bangholme scene.
They are appealing for information on who was in the vehicle and its movements ahead of the shooting.
“It’s an incredibly distinctive car and certainly there aren’t too many around,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said.
“We’re keen to speak to anyone who remembers seeing the ute, either in the Dandenong area or elsewhere, prior to or after the shooting, to come forward.”
Det Insp Stamper said police strongly believed the shooting was targeted but didn’t yet know the motive or the shooter’s identity.
“Over the past seven months, police have put a significant amount of work into trying to determine who wanted Mitat dead and why.
“Mitat was known to police and he had connections to a number of organised crime groups, however the exact motivation for the shooting is still unclear.”
Police are also appealing to members of the Albanian community to assist with information on Mr Rasimi’s movements prior to his death.
“Mitat had an Albanian background and we know he had a lot of friends and contacts within that community,” Det Insp Stamper said.
“It’s crucial that we try and piece together his last movements in the days leading up to his death, so we’re hoping that people within the Albanian community who might have seen him will come forward and speak to us.
“It could be something really simple – you might have seen him at a shop, at a friend or associate’s house, driving somewhere – any piece of information could help detectives.”
He said information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
