Advertisement

Tradie attacked after being pulled over by 'fake cop'

A tradie has been dragged from his vehicle and bashed after he was pulled over by what he thought was an undercover police car.

However the black Holden that pulled over 25-year-old Mohamed Dirani turned out be a fake, complete with flashing lights.

“I wanted to save my eyes,” he recalled.

On his knees shielding his face, he began screaming for help.

Mr Dirani was pulled from his car by thugs pretending to be undercover cops on June 9. Source: 7News
Mr Dirani was pulled from his car by thugs pretending to be undercover cops on June 9. Source: 7News

The labourer was pulled over by what he thought were undercover police on June 9 after travelling along Wood Street in the Melbourne suburb of Preston about midday.

But then one of the thugs approached his door, and demanded money.

“That’s when he threw the first punch and grabbed me in the chest. He removed me out of the car,” he said.

He was pulled over in Preston on a busy Saturday afternoon. Source: 7News
He was pulled over in Preston on a busy Saturday afternoon. Source: 7News
He suffered a swollen lip from the attack but escaped without serious injury. Source: 7News
He suffered a swollen lip from the attack but escaped without serious injury. Source: 7News

Mr Dirani was then dragged from the ute, before two other men attacked him as he was on the ground.

“The nature of the assault, and how brazen it was being a Saturday midday, just around the corner from Northland Shopping Centre. A very, very busy area,” Detective Senior Constable Jessica Kelly noted of the incident.

Mr Dirani suffered bruising and swelling to his face but wasn’t seriously injured.

Police have released an image of one of the men they believe is responsible for the attack. Source: 7News
Police have released an image of one of the men they believe is responsible for the attack. Source: 7News

He’d been driving his brothers ute at the time and they believe that’s why he was targeted by the men they labelled “cowards”.

“Saturday, payday, cash – that’s probably what they were thinking,” his brother Ali Dirani said.

Police are continuing their investigations and believe it to be an isolated incident.

Police are searching for up to four men described as caucasian and urged anyone with information on the vehicle or if they witnessed the attack to come forward.

Mr Dirani’s family is also offering an award for anyone with information on the attack.

Anybody with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online.