Police find stolen Mercedes used in holdup

A STOLEN Mercedes used as a getaway car during a violent Lara heist has been located by police.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for information as they investigate the Lara armed holdup and probe possible links with a similar Melbourne incident.

Terrifying footage showed four men smashing their way into the Mill Rd Apco at about 1.40am on Tuesday and threatening a lone employee with a hammer before fleeing in a stolen luxury vehicle.

Apco Lara owner Dean Hinch said the employee had seen a silver Mercedes, pictured, pull up to the petrol station at “very high speed” at 1.40am. Four men got out of the vehicle, leaving one offender behind as the “getaway driver”.

Two of the offenders have been described as being of African appearance, and another of European appearance.

“They put a hammer through the front door, they all charged at my employee who locked himself into the back rooms,” Mr Hinch said.

He said the employee barricaded himself behind a locked office door while the masked, hooded and gloved men smashed the door eventually breaking its frame.

Mr Hinch said the footage showed the men shouting and threatening to kill the em- ployee.

The luxury car, with stolen numberplates, was found dumped in Melbourne’s northwest overnight.

Police believe the car may have been used in another similar burglary in the northwest region.

Geelong Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said local police were working with Melbourne units to investigate links between the Lara holdup and other offending.

He appealed for anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.