Sorry cops admit to ‘stuffing up’ raid

VICTORIA Police have apologised for a botched raid that seriously injured an innocent man and say it was not targeted at the gay community.

Nik Dimopoulos was arrested outside gay community bookshop Hares & Hyenas in Melbourne in the early hours of Saturday after police mistook him for a carjacker.

He has had significant surgery and is in danger of losing the use of his left arm, which was broken in several places during the arrest.

Police yesterday apologised for the incident, which is now subject to a Professional Standards Command investigation.

“(It’s) very clear to us that police stuffed this one up,” Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said.

“I’m deeply sorry on behalf of Victoria Police he’s been injured in this way.”