By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Police have released footage of a “man of interest” as part of their investigation into the murder of Mitat Rasimi in Dawn Avenue, Dandenong.
The CCTV images show a man with a solid build and an unusual gait walking to and from a stolen orange Ford Ranger ute that was believed to have been used in the shooting on Sunday 3 March about 9.55pm.
The man appears to fit the description of the person seen trying to set the ute alight on McMahens Road in Bangholme about 30 minutes, police say.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper, of the Homicide Squad, says the latest footage may help identify the man.
“We’re appealing for help from the public, someone will know who this man is, he has a distinctive gait and we also believe he is a smoker,” Det Insp Stamper said.
“The vision clearly shows this man walking to and from the orange utility we believe was used in the murder.
“He is a person of interest to us and we’re appealing for anyone with information to please come forward.”
Police are also appealing for a person who wrote a letter to Crime Stoppers earlier this year to make further contact.
“I obviously won’t be going into the contents of this letter but I’m able to say that it was of interest to us and that it would be helpful if they could again make contact again,” Det Insp Stamper said.
“I’d like to reiterate that this can be done confidentially.”
The Ranger ute was sighted in several suburbs including Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Hampton Park and Dandenong, as well as Melton from where it was stolen, police say.
“We also have CCTV of the orange Ute, which we’ve released today, driving in one particular area on a number of occasions; this has led us to believe that those involved were performing reconnaissance on Mr Rasimi.
“I’d like to reiterate, it could be something really simple but any piece of information could help detectives.”
Police are particularly appealing to members of the Albanian community to inform police of Mitat’s movements leading up to his death.
Mr Rasimi, a 51-year-old father-of-four, is believed to have been instantly killed in his car outside his family home.
He was found by police with several gunshot wounds in his car, which had rolled forward and crashed into a pole.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
