Police are hunting a gun wielding thug who robbed a driver of his van in Inverclyde.
At around 11.30pm on Saturday a man, wearing a scarf over his face, approached a Morton's Rolls van in Oronsay Avenue in Port Glasgow carrying what appeared to be a 'firearm'.
The thief demanded that the driver got out of his vehicle, a Mercedes Sprinter van.
The victim then ran off.
Police say he was not injured but left 'badly shaken' by the late-night ordeal.
The van was driven off in the direction of the town's Rona Avenue.
Shortly after midnight officers were made aware of a vehicle on fire in Pladda Fields near Arran Avenue.
Police believe this was Mercedes van swiped on Oronsay Avenue.
Cops seized the motor for forensic examination.
Detective Inspector Robert Bowie said: “We are in the process of checking CCTV footage for any additional information on the incident and the occupants of the van.
"I am appealing to local residents in Oronsay Avenue and near to Pladda Fields, Port Glasgow to contact us if they saw or heard anything from their homes.
"In particular, if anyone saw a light coloured vehicle being driven around these areas during the hours noted.
"Also, if you have dash cam or private CCTV, please do contact us.
"Any small piece of information could prove vital in our enquiries as we work to establish the motive of this crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to call CID officers at Paisley Police Station via 101, quoting incident number 3783.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
