Homicide Squad detectives have today released vision of a man of interest as part of their investigation into the murder of Mitat Rasimi in Dandenong earlier this year.
The moving footage depicts a man, with a solid build and who walks with an unusual gait, walking to and from an orange Ford Ranger utility believed used in the murder of Mr Rasimi on Sunday 3 March about 9.55pm.
The 51-year-old Dandenong man had been driving a car at the time of his murder and was found by police, unresponsive and with a number of gunshot wounds, crashed into a pole in Dawn Avenue.
The breakthrough follows the release of CCTV and still pictures last week of a distinctive stolen orange Ford Ranger utility believed linked to the shooting.
A man, who fits the description of the man seen in the vision, is believed to have been disturbed by a witness trying to set the orange utility alight on McMahens Road in Bangholme about 30 minutes after the shooting.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said it is hopeful the release of the CCTV will assist in identifying 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,” D/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.
“I’d also like to appeal to the person who wrote a letter to Crime Stoppers earlier this year to make further contact; and I’d like to reiterate that this can be done confidentially.
“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.
“Another point of progress is that we now believe the orange Ford Ranger has been sighted in a number of suburbs including Melton, Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Hampton Park and Dandenong.
“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 still appealing to the Albanian community in particular to come forward with any information they may have about Mitat’s movements in the lead up to his death.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
