Wild moment karma catches up with serial Facebook Marketplace thief

A Facebook Marketplace thief accused of stealing a van and a scooter has been arrested after leading police on a dramatic chase. 

Nicholas Joseph Davis, 37, was intercepted by police officers outside a Bunnings in Springfield Central in Ipswich, in Brisbanes west, about 11.40am on Monday.

Police allege Davis stole a 2019 Toyota Hiace in Slacks Creek after he inquired about the vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.  

The 37-year-old was captured on CCTV meeting up with the vans seller, Ravnit Walia, at 2pm on March 30.

In the footage, Davis hopped into the drivers seat and drove off in the van, almost hitting Mr Walia in the process.

Two weeks earlier, Davis arranged a separate Marketplace meetup after inquiring about a 2012 Piaggio Zip 50 scooter which he also allegedly stole.

Queensland Police tracked Davis to a carpark where they discovered the allegedly stolen white van and waited for Davis to return. 

On noticing the officers, Davis allegedly tried to flee on foot but was arrested following a dramatic chase across busy roads. 

Nicholas Joseph Davis, 37, was arrested in southwest Brisbane after he allegedly stole two vehicles from sellers after organising meet-ups through Facebook Marketplace 

Mr Walia had listed his van for $28,000 on Facebook Marketplace when he received a message from Davis requesting a test drive. 

Davis told Mr Walia he was happy to pay the asking price if the van ran smoothly and the pair were captured on CCTV meeting up at a petrol station. 

He is seen inspecting the van before jumping into the drivers seat and taking off - as Mr Walia tried to stop him by placing his hands on the bonnet.  

Just weeks earlier, Davis allegedly used the same tactics on Kaz Miyazaki when he advertised his scooter for $3,000 on Facebook Marketplace. 

Davis arrived at Mr Miyazakis house and asked to inspect the scooter before he requested to take it for a test drive and allegedly never returned. 

Davis texted the seller claiming he had fallen off the scooter and injured himself.

He agreed to pay for the scooter, but it never arrived in Mr Miyazakis account. 

Fortunately for Mr Miyazaki, he had taken photos of Davis license which police used to track the thief down to the carpark on Monday. 

CCTV footage from a petrol station captured Davis allegedly stealing a 2019 Toyota Hiace in Slacks Creek at 2pm on March 30. The seller is seen trying to stop him from driving away

Police allegedly found stolen number plates, war medals, power tools and a machete inside the stolen white van. 

The vehicle has since been taken for forensic testing.

Davis has been charged with five counts of enter premises and commit and two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

He is due to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday.