Cyclist injured in stolen Mercedes hit-run

A driver who smashed into a female cyclist, injuring her badly, then drove off should hand himself in, police say.

The 43-year-old female victim, who will require months of rehabilitation from fracturing her vertebrae, made a public appeal for witnesses on Saturday.

She was thrown onto the bonnet of the car, which then did a U-turn and drove off, police said.

"It's quite a dispicable act," First Constable Patrick Littlebury said on Saturday.

"I'm not sure where the conscience is of someone who could do that to another human."

The police officer made a direct appeal to the driver: "Go to your local police station and put your hand up," he said.

The smash occurred just on March 17 on Chapel Street in St Kilda but police discovered the vehicle burnt out in Altona on Tuesday.

The Mercedes was stolen from Malvern in February.

Witnesses are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.