02 May 2023 , 11:47
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Detectives trying to catch the killers of a young dad-to-be have extended their area of investigation by 300 miles.
Electric bikes used in the drive-by shooting of Sam Rimmer in Liverpool last August are now believed to have been taken from the murder scene to another city.
Officers on Merseyside have been in touch with colleagues in Plymouth who are on the alert for the bikes in a bid to gain evidence to tie individuals to the killing.
Mr Rimmer was shot dead in Liverpool's Dingle, at around 11.40pm on August 16, last year.
He had been with a group of friends when two suspects, riding electric bikes, drove into the cul-de-sac and fired a number of shots towards the group.
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Sam was due to become a father before he died (Liverpool Echo)The 22-year-old was hit and died a short time later in hospital.
Merseyside Police have so far arrested and bailed 10 men in connection with the shooting.
Now a police source said the two bikes are believed to have been transported to southern England in a van and have been spotted around Plymouth.
The bikes were refitted in a bid to disguise their appearance.
Forensics on the scene after Sam was killed in August 2022 (Liverpool Echo)Believed to be Surrons 22 models, they have been fitted with new forks - the element that holds the front wheel - before being put up for sale.
Police are now trying to trace the bikes and their owners.
The source said: "We know the two bikes used in the Rimmer murder are in Plymouth. We have received intelligence that the gunman's bike has been fitted with new forks.
"They were up for sale in Plymouth seven weeks ago.
Floral tributes left for Sam at the scene in Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)"We think the killers left Woolton, travelled to Dingle, back to Woolton and then down south in the back of a van. We are chasing up all leads related to the murder of Sam Rimmer."
Two weeks ago police arrested a 19-year-old Toxteth man on suspicion of murder and a 42-year-old man was arrested on conspiracy to commit murder. Both were released pending further enquiries.
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Eight other men have previously been arrested and released on bail.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said they could not comment at this time.
The bikes the killers fled on are believed to be Surrons 22 models (Sur-Ron)Earlier this year Sam's grieving mum said his death had broken her family and said they "will never recover."
She said they shared a birthday and her heart was broken she would never hear "happy birthday Mumzy" from her son again.
Sam was due to become a father to a baby boy and his family said he was "excited" for the birth.