A man has been sentenced to more than four years jail after kidnapping a door-to-door salesman in Werribee and stealing his car.
The County Court last week heard Nizar Soumaya, 47, met his victim when the man doorknocked his house while selling education courses.
Soumaya agreed to sign up for a course and the victim returned to the house several times to complete paperwork.
During one visit, the salesman told Soumaya he could organise a discount if he wanted to buy a television and furniture.
On November 15, 2015, the victim drove Soumaya to a warehouse in Truganina to collect a truck containing a television.
After finding the warehouse gates locked, Soumaya directed the victim to drive his BMW to a friend’s house in College Road, Werribee.
The court heard that Soumaya exited the car when they arrived in College Road and came back wearing a bandana and hood over his head.
While directing the victim to drive around Werribee, Soumaya handed him a round of ammunition and said, “This is for you if you go to police”.
After about 20 minutes, the victim managed to stop his car and escape.
He flagged down a taxi and then reported the crime to police.
Two days later, police executed a search warrant at a house in Richmond Crescent, Werribee, where they found the victim’s BMW parked at the rear of the premises.
Police also recovered an imitation firearm, a mobile phone belonging to the victim and personal documents relating to the victim and his wife.
Police arrested Soumaya at the scene.
He told officers that the victim had sold him the BMW.
A jury last week found Soumaya guilty of robbery, kidnapping and theft.
He was sentenced to four years and three months jail and will be eligible for parole in two years and six months.
County Court Judge Richard Smith said Soumaya’s victim had been through a “terrifying experience”.
