Serial Facebook Marketplace thief arrested by police outside Bunnings in Springfield Central, Ipswich, Queensland

A Queensland man was dramatically arrested outside a Bunnings on Sunday, accused of being a serial thief who targeted unsuspecting sellers on Facebook Marketplace.

Police were waiting for Nicholas Joseph Davis in the carpark of the store in Springfield Central, Ipswich on Monday, standing in front of a white van he had allegedly stolen the day before.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Facebook marketplace meet-up theft

After noticing he had been caught out, the 37-year-old made a run for it, running across the road in front of cars.

The alleged thief didn’t make it far before police swooped on him and he was arrested.

Davis was wanted over the theft of a 2019 Toyota Hiace in Slacks Creek on Sunday afternoon.

The van had been advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace by Ravnit Walia, who had received a message from Davis asking to test drive the van.

Davis also asked if Walia would take $28,000 for the vehicle, to which the Walia agreed.

CCTV shows the pair meeting up in the carpark of a petrol station with Davis posing as a buyer.

He inspected the van, looking underneath the car and under the hood before asking to take it for a test drive.

Davis jumped into the van and took off, with Walia seen standing in front of the car, trying to get him to stop.

Walia opened the side front passenger door however Davis continued to drive off.

Almost two weeks earlier in another marketplace meetup, police say Davis stole a scooter.

Kaz Miyazaki advertised the 2012 Piaggio Zip 50 for $3,000, with Davis coming to his house pretending to be an interested buyer.

Davis took the scooter for a ride but never came back, instead pretending to fall off the bike and injure himself.

The following message exchange took place between Miyazaki and Davis.

Miyazaki: “Are you ok mate?”

Davis: “No sorry man I fell off.”

Miyazaki: “Where? Need help?”

Davis: “My friend has picked me up don’t worry your scooter is fine.”

Miyazaki: “Where are you now?”

Davis: “Just had some heavy painkillers and laying on my mate’s bed in pain.”

Miyazaki: “I hope you are ok. So you gonna pay me now?”

Davis: “I will (very) soon my head is spinning.”

In bad news for Davis, Miyazaki had taken photos of his license which he gave to police, eventually leading to his arrest on Monday.

Inside the stolen white van police found stolen number plates, war medals, power tools and a machete.

The vehicle was taken away for forensic testing.

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

He will face Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday.