The vehicle belonged to a city-based car rental service. The Mercedes is reported to be worth Rs 40 lakh.

The complainant said the three men threatened to shoot him when the vehicle approached Chikhle Bridge on the Pune Mumbai Expressway on Thursday evening. The complaint has been lodged with the New Panvel police station.

Investigation officer sub inspector V G Pawar said the three men had approached Nehru Ghuge's car rental service at Sahkarnagar in Pune on Wednesday. They had booked a Mercedes car for going to Mumbai on Thursday.

According to the police, Ranavde had driven the car up to Chikhle Bridge in Panvel when the accused pointed a revolver and asked him to stop the car. The accused told Ranavde to leave the car or else they would shoot him dead. Left with no option, Ranavde got out and the accused made away with the car.