Homicide detectives are investigating after the body of a man was found inside a bullet-riddled van on Melbourne’s EastLink freeway.
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The body was found near the Mullum Mullam tunnel, with emergency services being called at around 2.20am this morning. It’s believed the shooting occurred at Donvale, and at the time of reporting there are three potential crime scenes in Melbourne’s east after two other abandoned vehicles were found by police in Mooroolbark & Bayswater, which have been included in the investigation.
According to The Age, police believe they know who the 46-year-old Croydon victim is, although they haven’t yet formally identified the man.
The other vehicles found by police were a burnt out sedan dumped at Mooroolbark and a ute abandoned in the middle of the Mountain Highway near Scoresby Road at Bayswater. It’s believed those involved may have dumped the ute, then fled on foot through a reserve nearby.
Detective Acting Inspector Peter Trichias told The Age that the community doesn’t need to worry at this stage.
“We just want to reassure the community that the shooting itself does not appear to be random, it appears to be a targeted attack. However just bear in mind that the investigation is still early. At this stage we’re pretty confident we know who the victim is, but we’re yet to formally identify that person.”
Detective Trichias believes it’s likely more than one person was involved in the incident. He has urged anyone with potential information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to make a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
