A Southport teen is charged with stealing a van that was used to ram raid a massage parlour

Detectives investigating the ram raid and gutting of a massage parlour have charged a teen with stealing a van used in the robbery. WATCH THE CCTV

Labrador ram-raid.

Police have charged a teenager in relation to the theft of a van that was later used in a shocking ram raid at a Gold Coast massage parlour early on Sunday morning.

Detectives will allege the 17-year-old boy was involved in stealing a Toyota Hiace on Saturday.

The van was captured on CCTV at about 2am on Sunday, reversing through the front doors of the Labrador massage business.

The boy is due to face Southport Children’s Court in the new year charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police say the van was allegedly stolen from a service station. It is understood the vehicle’s owner was using a rest room at the Ashmore business at lunchtime on Saturday when he discovered his car gone.

Police are still investigating whether the teen charged with stealing the van was also involved in the ram raid. The vehicle has been recovered by detectives. It was found abandoned along Mylor Street in Ashmore on Monday morning.

The alleged stolen Toyota Hiace van was reversed through the front doors of the business.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said detectives are still appealing for public assistance to track down those involved in the ram raid.

The incident was captured on CCTV cameras inside the massage parlour. The vision shows three people spending more than an hour going room by room, trashing the business and stuffing belongings into bags. One can be seen trying to open the till but when he’s unsuccessful he rips it from the front counter and takes it outside to the getaway vehicle. Among the stolen items were mobile phones, hand bags, a bluetooth speaker, nearly $2000 in cash taken from a staff member’s locker and a carton of beer. One of the thieves appeared to be armed with a large knife, while another could be seen stuffing an edged weapon down his pants.

One of the men could be seen brandishing what appears to be a large knife.

A shop till was stolen during the ram-raid.

The store’s owner wasn’t aware her business had been targeted until staff turned up to start their shift several hours later. She has been left terrified by the ordeal and says she’s been forced to close the doors for the next few days until the damage can be repaired.

The Bulletin understands forensic officers have collected evidence from the scene, including fingerprints. A number of the stolen items including the till have been recovered after they were found dumped in the middle of the road just a few streets away from the massage parlour. It’s believed the same offenders may be linked to several break-ins over the weekend.