Police say hit men who murdered mafia-linked John Latorre fled on motorcycle

Police believe the hit men who shot John Latorre dead in his Greenvale driveway used a small motorbike that “made a loud noise” as their getaway vehicle.

Detectives investigating the execution of Melbourne fruiterer John Latorre believe the hit men fled his Greenvale home on a motorcycle.

The homicide squad understands a small motorcycle was used as the getaway vehicle after the 64-year-old suspected Calabrian mafia figure was murdered in his driveway as he left for work.

Police intelligence suggests a small motorcycle that “made a loud noise” was seen near Latorre’s Buchanan Place home around the time of his suspected fly-in-fly-out killing.

Homicide squad investigators on Wednesday pleaded for any information surrounding the suspected getaway vehicle as they try to piece together how the murder unfolded.

Latorre was murdered in his driveway last week.

He was a stalwart at Epping’s Melbourne Markets.

They are especially keen to speak to anyone who saw a motorcycle travelling around Buchanan Place, Elphinstone Blvd, Glencairn, Barrymore and Mickleham roads in Greenvale.

Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange said the motorcycle in question would likely provide some key information into the gangland-style execution.

He said any dashcam footage may show a rider driving erratically or at high speed as they escaped the murder scene.

“We believe that dashcam footage or CCTV of this motorcycle could provide a crucial breakthrough in this investigation,” he said.

“While we are still working through all the circumstances surrounding the murder, we are particularly keen to identify this motorcycle and it is currently a key avenue of inquiry.

“Given the circumstances of what happened, it may have been ridden erratically or at speed, so if you saw anything then we want to hear from you.

Distraught family members at the scene in the hours after his death. Picture AAP Image/James Ross

“From the footage that has been reviewed already, we know there was quite a bit of traffic around even at that early time of the morning.

“Those responsible for this murder had absolutely no concerns deliberately discharging a firearm in a suburban street, regardless of what impact it may have had on innocent parties, so we are keen to locate the offender or offenders as soon as possible.”

His body was taken away a short time later. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

The news of Latorre’s murder spread quickly in police and underworld circles. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

The fruiterer, who had been a stalwart at the Melbourne Markets in Epping, was blasted with shots to the upper body as he left for work about 4.30am before his 5am start.

He was killed instantly before his bloodied body was discovered by a distraught family member soon after.

The Sunday Herald Sun revealed Latorre’s murder contract would have needed the green light from the mafia’s biggest players and may have been a FIFO-type job.

Multiple sources told this masthead there was no way a hit on someone with Mr Latorre’s ­status would have occurred without being sanctioned by bosses at the Honoured Society.

Detectives continue to appeal for any information as they examine possible links to the organised crime trade.